Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, during a press briefing today, chided the Armenian government for arguing that Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh aren’t doing enough to open the Lachin Corridor and allow for the shipment of humanitarian aid to Artsakh Armenians.

"Our peacekeepers perform important functions including the exchange of prisoners, demining, provision of humanitarian aid and the resolution of incidents. From the point of view of the Armenian government, these actions are not useful. It is not the first time that there are ambiguities. After the Armenian authorities recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani, any allegation regarding their insufficient efforts is inappropriate," Zakharova stated, adding that it is not the first time that the Russian side sees that "the representatives of the Armenian authorities they have two positions on a number of issues."

A convoy of nineteen trucks, that left Yerevan last week carrying humanitarian aid to Artsakh, remains halted at the entrance to the Lachin Corridor. Azerbaijani troops haven’t allowed the trucks to advance across the border.

Zakharova said Russian peacekeepers are in contact with Azerbaijani authorities to seek a solution to the issue.

"In this context, we consider that any accusation against the Russian peacekeepers is counterproductive and does not reflect their real contribution to efforts to stabilize the country's situation. Therefore, contacts have been established, and I think they will give their results," said Zakharova.

She said Moscow fully supports the process to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and is doing everything to achieve a stable peace in the region.

Zakharova described talk regarding a possible decision to withdraw the Russian peacekeepers as “absolutely incomprehensible” given the extremely difficulty humanitarian crisis.