The spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova announced on Saturday that the Russian Federation welcomes Azerbaijan’s decision to release 15 Armenian soldiers in exchange for maps of minefields.
“Azerbaijan handed over 15 military personnel to Armenia in exchange for maps of minefields. Long-awaited and wonderful news. We welcome such steps by the parties,” Zakharova wrote on Telegram.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said earlier in the day that Baku released 15 detained Armenians in response to the handing by Yerevan of minefields maps. The United States also welcomed this decision.
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia that resulted in a two-month war last autumn, re-emerged in May when Azerbaijani troops violated the Armenian border near lake Sev claiming its Azerbaijani territory. In addition to the encroachment of the Armenian land, Azerbaijan captured Armenian soldiers accusing them of border violation. However, the two countries this time are trying to solve their problems via diplomacy and avoid a new armed conflict.
