Kremlin says not to blame for Karabakh, regards Armenia as ally

Russia considers Armenia its ally and remains in contact with its leadership, but rejects Yerevan's attempts to blame Moscow for the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Russia will work on ensuring that the rights of ethnic Armenians in Karabakh are respected, Peskov said. Azerbaijan said last week it had restored its sovereignty over the breakaway region after a lightning offensive that forced the Karabakh Armenians to agree to disarm.