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Ned Price objected to Zakharova's characterization of Western normalization efforts as self-promotion

26 October 2022 11:18 (UTC +04:00)

"We would certainly take issue with a characterization of our efforts being self-promotional. There is nothing self-promotional about seeking to put an end to conflict," Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Ned Price said in his response to statements of official representative of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, APA reports.

"Our only goal here is to see and to help these countries work together to bring about comprehensive and lasting peace, and ultimately to save lives. I don’t know what about that can be construed as self-promotional.

As the Secretary has emphasized, we are committed to peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We’ve encouraged both leaders to meet in whatever format is most useful to them. We believe direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and to reaching a lasting peace. It’s why Secretary Blinken brought together his foreign minister counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York City in September, the first time that the two had been in the same room since the recent flare-up of violence.

It’s ultimately for Armenia and for Azerbaijan to decide whether President Putin’s invitation would be helpful or useful to them in pursuit of that lasting peace.

There is ultimately no greater support than the United States for the sovereignty and independence of the countries in the South Caucasus.

The restoration of Armenia, Azerbaijan’s, and Georgia’s independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union was a seminal event that guaranteed each of these countries the right to pursue their own foreign policy interests independent of Moscow or independent of any other country," emphasized Ned Price.