Macron, Putin discuss sharp escalation in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone

France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation today at France’s initiative.

Kremlin press service reports that the two presidents thoroughly discussed the sharp escalation of the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone and expressed serious concern over the continuing large scale military actions.

Putin and Macron called on the conflicting parties to establish immediate and full ceasefire, de-escalate the tension and exercise maximum restraint.

It has been noted that the political and diplomatic methods of settlement of the Karabakh conflict have no alternative.

In this pre-context they considered the special criteria of further partnership, first of all in the OSCE Minsk Group format.

The parties expressed readiness to come up with a statement on behalf of Minsk Group co-chairing countries in favor of immediate cease of the military confrontation and resumption of negotiation process.