Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s territorial affiliation on the air of Russia 1 TV channel, RIA Novosti reports.

“Armenia did not recognize the independence and sovereignty of Nagorno-Karabakh. This meant that, from the point of view of international law, both Nagorno-Karabakh and all adjacent regions were and are an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the Russian leader said.

He stressed that the terms of membership in the CSTO did not oblige Russia to get involved in the conflict.

“The CSTO treaty provides for mutual assistance in case of aggression against the territory of a country – a party to this treaty. No one encroached on the territory of the Armenian Republic, and this did not give us any right to take a direct part in hostilities,” the president explained.

At the same time, Moscow fully fulfilled its obligations within the framework of military-technical cooperation with Yerevan, he added.

“I assure you, Armenia did not feel abandoned, forgotten. And Russia did everything to prevent this from happening,” the head of state summed up.

Notably, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on 10 November signed a joint statement on the complete cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. In accordance with it, the parties stop at occupied positions and exchange prisoners. Armenia must return the Kelbajar, Lachin and Aghdam regions to Azerbaijan. Russian peacekeepers are deployed along the line of contact and along the Lachin corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia.