The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Particularities of International Settlement Process and Russia’s Involvement in It (1991–2022)

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the problems of resolving ethno-political conflicts in the post-Soviet space, in particular, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which Russia is an active participant in the political settlement, have been of particular relevance. The aim of the article is to determine the forms and mechanisms of Russia’s participation as a third party in the settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. The article identifies the main causes of the conflict in this region. Based on the literature review, the main forms and mechanisms of participation of a third party in the settlement of the ethno-political conflict, as well as the attitude of researchers to the role of Russia in the settlement of the conflict in the South Caucasus, are highlighted. The participation of Russia in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict throughout the entire period of its existence is described in detail. It was determined that over the past thirty years, Russia has used various negotiation and communication mechanisms aimed at a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, at the same time, Russia benefits from the frozen format of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is an opportunity to maintain friendly relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, while maintaining neutrality towards any of the parties. While acting as a mediator in the conflict, Russia aimed to create a positive image and maintain a balanced relationship with the warring parties, while failing to fully control the situation in the region and allowing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to escalate into a war. Further peaceful settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is possible with a change in the attitude of both the conflicting parties and Russia, acting as a mediator, to the depth of the conflict and the need for a compromise solution.