Russia and the US Exchange Blame Over Instability in Karabakh

Moscow and Washington are exchanging accusations regarding the destabilization of the South Caucasus region as thousands of ethnic Armenians flee their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh out of fear of ethnic cleansing. Despite Armenia relying on a security partnership with Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, their relations have severely strained following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov wrote on the messaging app Telegram: "We urge Washington to refrain from dangerous words and actions that lead to an artificial increase in hostility against Russia in Armenia." Antonov's comments came after statements from the U.S. State Department following Armenia's accusation against Moscow for not intervening when Azerbaijani forces seized Nagorno-Karabakh last week. Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters: "I believe Russia has shown that it is not a reliable security partner." Thousands of ethnic Armenians fled the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh after their fighters were defeated in a lightning military operation conducted by Azerbaijan last week. Baku has pledged to protect the rights of the approximately 120,000 Armenians, who consider Karabakh their homeland, but only a few have accepted these assurances. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held Russia responsible for failing to ensure the safety of Armenians. Moscow stated that Armenia alone is responsible for Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh as it has courted the West instead of working with Moscow and Baku for peace.