The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

Russia willing to participate in South Caucasus peace settlement amid 'crisis' in Ukraine, Putin says

by Kateryna Hodunova and The Kyiv Independent news desk August 19, 2024 6:35 PM 2 min read
Russia is committed to participating in settling the situation in the South Caucasus, Putin says.
Vladimir Putin walks past an honour guard at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 31, 2024. (Maxim Shemetov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is committed to participating in settling the situation in the South Caucasus amid the "crisis" in Ukraine, Azerbaijan State News Agency reported on Aug. 19.

The day before, Putin arrived in Baku for talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"It is clear, and everyone is aware, that Russia is also facing crises, including and above all in the Ukrainian direction," Putin said.

"But Russia's historical involvement in the situation in the South Caucasus over the past few years dictates the need for us to participate in these events, of course, to the extent demanded by the sides," Putin added.

The South Caucasus is a region in Eastern Europe and Western Asia that includes the territories of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, also known as the Caucasian States.

Armenia has long maintained close ties with Russia but is now seeking to distance itself from Moscow.

Nagorno-Karabakh, until recently inhabited by an Armenian population, was re-integrated into Azerbaijan after Baku's military victory in 2023. Following this, Yerevan repeatedly threatened to leave the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that didn't assist Armenia in its struggle against Azerbaijan, which is not a part of the organization.

In March, Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan revealed that the country is considering applying for membership in the European Union, aiming to strengthen ties with the West.

Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Azerbaijan has attempted to maintain good ties with Ukraine. According to the Azerbaijani government, Baku has provided at least 15 million euros ($16.5 million) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

But Azerbaijan, which shares a border with Russia, also signed a political and military friendship agreement with Russia just two days before the invasion.

Armenia to hold military drills with US amid worsening relations with Russia
Armenia has long been close with Russia, but is now seeking to distance itself, repeatedly accusing Moscow of being an unreliable partner.

News Feed

8:06 AM  (Updated: )

Zelensky arrives in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa.

"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
5:30 AM

Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit.

Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump's last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president's first term.
8:08 PM

Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian.

The U.S. media outlet Axios reported on April 23 that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's final proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war included the U.S. de jure recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and de facto recognizing its control of other occupied Ukrainian territories. We asked Kyiv residents for their reactions to the U.S. proposal.
7:21 PM  (Updated: )

Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.

"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.