Putin looks to reassert role in talks with Armenia, Azerbaijan
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted talks with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as Moscow seeks to reassert its role as a key powerbroker between the Caucasus arch-foes.
The talks were held as Western engagement grows in the volatile Caucasus region, where Russia -- distracted by its war in Ukraine -- is palpably losing influence after decades of domination.
The initiative comes a month after the worst clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan since their war in 2020.
The meeting between Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev began in the evening in the southern Russian city of Sochi, the Kremlin said.
It had said earlier the negotiations will focus on implementing agreements reached in talks under Russia's mediation last year and "further steps to strengthen stability and security" in the region.
Ahead of the trilateral summit, Putin met the two visiting leaders separately.
"The most important is to ensure peace and create conditions for development," he told Pashinyan.
"I do hope very much that we will be able today to make steps towards (the Karabakh conflict) settlement."
Pashinyan said Yerevan's priorities included Azerbaijani withdrawal from the areas in Karabakh controlled by Russian peacekeepers and the liberation of Armenian POWs.
"I thank you for the efforts you are making to establish peace, stability and security."
