Putin: Russia ready to help on Armenia-Azerbaijan

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country is ready to contribute to peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Speaking at the meeting of the leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation countries Friday, Russian leader noted close ties between Russia and both Yerevan and Baku and said that Russia "cannot remain aloof from problems and contradictions between states close to Russia."

Putin said that in order to reach peace, all parties must strictly observe "all the provisions of the well-known joint statements of the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan". Last month, Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated a cease-fire to end a flare-up of fighting that killed 155 soldiers from both sides.