The reports coming out of Nagorno-Karabakh today are dramatic. Over the past few weeks, we have made huge efforts to ensure humanitarian access to the people in Nagorno-Karabakh. Recently we have seen a little progress. That makes this escalation of the violence all the more terrible.

Particularly in recent days there have been intensive talks, not least by the EU and United States, with Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at de-escalation. Baku’s pledge to abstain from military measures has been broken. Azerbaijan must cease the shelling immediately and return to the negotiating table.

It is crucial that the civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh is protected. This is also the task of the Russian soldiers stationed there.

Lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia can only be achieved at the negotiating table. We support the EU-led negotiations. In view of today’s escalation, they are more urgent than ever.