On the eve of the June 25 meeting in Kazan of the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on the Karabakh issue, there are conflicting opinions coming out of Artsakh itself regarding this latest attempt to iron out some basic framework on which a settlement can be reached in the future.

Masis Mayilyan, President of the MKR's Public Council of Foreign Policy and Security, says that a Basic Principles document can only be signed in the circumstances that exist today if tremendous international pressure is brought to bear, since the objective prerequisites are lacking for their voluntary acceptance.

"To a certain extent, steps taken to create confidence on the frontline and a lessening of tensions can be considered as forward progress from the agreements reached at Astrakhan and Sochi. There can be no progress in the process of reaching agreements on any pivotal political issues without the strengthening of stability on the border between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The establishment of a conducive environment in the conflict zone is the minimum condition required for the continuation of peaceful dialog," noted Mayilyan.

He regards the recent statement issued by some twenty civic organizations in Artsakh and the ARF regional office as a positive step.

Today, in the Artsakh capital of Stepanakert, the Helsinki Initiative-92 group will be organizing a discussion of the upcoming Kazan meeting and shows the concern expressed by many as to the possible damage the meeting might hold in store for Armenia and Artsakh.

What is important, Mayilyan argues, is for the society at large in Artsakh to make its voice heard on such vital issues.

MKR MP Arevik Petrosyan doesn't believe anything of significance will be agreed to at Kazan.

"In all likelihood, what will be signed in Kazan is yet another document that reconfirms the points of prior documents. It depends if the United States wants to change the situation but I don't think it will exert any pressure in this regard," says MP Petrosyan.

Arkady Karapetyan, First Commander of the MKR's Self-Defense Army, says he hopes that nothing unacceptable will be signed at Kazan but that "nothing can be ruled out."

Commander Karapetyan puts his trust in the statement of the government that "we are ready to sacrifice our lives in the defense of Artsakh."

"The people don't really care what Russia or the United States say or believe. Average folk are more interested in the fundamentals – having a roof over their heads and something to eat. They want their kids to grow up in peace and go to school. These are the essentials but it is up to our government to see that the necessary conditions are safeguarded," said Karapetyan.