Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at a press conference today, rejected rumors that Russia plans to annex Karabakh, describing them as “exotic”.

"As for those exotic proposals to include Nagorno Karabakh in Russia, as I understand it, no one has recognized the independence of Karabakh, including the Republic of Armenia. We also do not have such an idea,” Lavrov said.

He said the trilateral November 9 Karabakh ceasefire statement does not contain heretofore unpublished appendices or secret agreements.

"I can’t imagine what could have been discussed under the name of secrets,” Lavrov said.

“We believe that the issues of this region should be resolved between the countries of the region, in this case first of all Armenia, Azerbaijan," Lavrov said, adding that Russia will help in finding a solution that will ensure regional peace, stability and security.