U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, during a press briefing on December 16, said the closure of the Lachin Corridor has potentially severe humanitarian implications and sets back the peace process.

“We’re pleased that natural gas to Nagorno-Karabakh has been restored. Disruptions to energy infrastructure could precipitate a humanitarian crisis, as I said. And we call on the restoration of free movement through the corridor as soon as possible, and the way forward to this is through negotiations.”

When asked if Armenia and Azerbaijan are still interested in signing a peace treaty by year’s end, Patel warned not to assign any such deadline.

“This is something that you know that the Secretary has a great interest in and has paid very close attention to, other senior leaders across the department have as well, and it’s something that we’re going to continue to remain deeply engaged on and get to cross the finish line.”

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