Dmitry Medvedev sees probable "Turkish factor" in Karabakh

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Rossiya TV Channel's Vesti v Subbotu that "Turkish factor" is probable in Karabakh. 

In response to the question how the developments in Nagorno Karabakh tally with the Syrian settlement and the problems with Turkey that Russia has, Dmitry Medvedev said: "Well, I am not an advocate of conspiracy theories, but I can say the following: The nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is known to everyone and has been studied well. What we are observing now is the continuation of what emerged in the past. But this doesn't mean that this conflict is developing in a vacuum when only two sides are locked in the conflict. Sometimes it becomes hot and is accompanied by military operations with human losses and so on. 

Obviously, the environment affects the general situation, the mood of people and decision-making. Every country has people with different views on the possibilities of settling this conflict. I'm referring both to decision-makers and to those who are simply following the developments. There are a number of forces that are attentively monitoring the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its ramifications in the Middle East and Russia, as well as vice versa, i.e. how the processes unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa affect Nagorno- Karabakh. As a matter of fact, all these conflicts boil down to political decisions in one way or another. For this reason, it is not impossible that this conflict is also influenced by external factors. You have mentioned the Turkish factor. It is probably real, if only because Turkey has spoken out on this issue.

As for Turkish President Erdogan statement calling Russia a part to the conflict, Medvedev said:  "Instead of calling for calm and returning to the negotiating table, instead of promoting talks and a ceasefire, he delivered a trenchant assessment of the situation. What for? Did he want to add oil to the fire? Well, this is what I call a troubling development."

The Russian prime minister agreed with the views that the conflicts like this one in Nagorno- Karabakh should be better frozen. 
"Everyone wants to take part in resolving the conflict and changing the situation. Many politicians quite rightly see this as their responsibility to future generations. They want to pass on to them a resolved rather than frozen conflict. The problem is that this conflict, just as any other, may be resolved in a completely definite way, and any method of resolving it will suit some people and will not suit others. So if you are asking me to choose between the frozen conflict - that is a renunciation of its early resolution - and the value of human life that is brought to the altar of its resolution, I will still choose the latter. It is better to preserve the current situation than spill blood," he said.

As for Russia's stand on the conflict, Medvedev said:  "After what happened, the most important thing, I believe, was that Russia, as an influential state, a state that has partnership and alliance relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, should do its best to prevent the perpetuation of the conflict. So, President Putin called President Aliyev and President Sargsyan and stated our position.  Our position is that escalation must be prevented at all costs no matter what happens, no matter what someone may think. Most importantly, the sides should calm down, stop shooting, call a ceasefire, and sit and talk."
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev paid visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan on April 7 and 8, respectively and discussed the recent escalation in Nagorno Karabakh with the leaderships of both states.