17 Oct 2026
U.S. Rejects Zakharova's Comments, Says Russian Aggression Undermined Minsk Group Format
Washington on Friday rejected Russian characterization of the Western role in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.
"Promoting peace in the South Caucasus remains an enduring priority for us," State Department's principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in response to TURAN's questions during a Friday phone briefing.
Patel's comments came in reaction to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's early comments in which she blamed Washington and Brussels for seeking to undermine the implementation of the trilateral agreements between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia as well as aiming to change the security system in the region.
Patel, in his turn, reminded that promoting peace in the South Caucasus "remains an enduring priority" for the Biden administration, and for Secretary Blinken, in particular, "as evidenced by his direct outreach and engagement on these issues directly with leaders in Armenia and Azerbaijan."
"And this is something that we are going to continue to stay focused on," he said.
As for Russia, Patel said, "... the fact is that Russian aggression and unilateralism has undermined a number of lines of efforts, undermined a number of prospects for productive work in the Minsk Group format."
Washington "remains firmly committed" to engagement on any and all avenues for the promotion of peace, whether that be bilaterally, whether that be through mechanisms within the EU, whether that be via the OSCE, Patel concluded.
Alex Raufoglu
Washington D.C.
Latest news
Latest newsBulgaria Asks NATO to Strengthen Its Defences Amid Black Sea Threats: Sofia Fears Growing Risks to Maritime Shipping
16.Oct.2026
Black Sea Shipping Risks Threaten Bulgaria’s 5 Million Tonnes of Wheat Exports
15.Oct.2026
Georgia’s Foreign Funding and Political Ban Laws Draw Criticism from the Venice Commission
15.Oct.2026
Kazakhstan Promotes a Caspian Green Energy Corridor: Astana Seeks New Routes to the European Market
14.Oct.2026
Inflation in Romania Accelerates to 6.61%: Rising Prices Increase Pressure on Households and the Economy
13.Oct.2026
Can Europe Protect the International Criminal Court from Trump’s Sanctions?
13.Oct.2026
Georgia’s Constitutional Court Continues Case on Banning Opposition Parties: Political Pluralism at Stake
12.Oct.2026
Azerbaijan and Iran Step Up Security Contacts Amid Hijab Protests
12.Oct.2026
Personnel Shortages Complicate Ukrainian Forces’ Rotation: Ukraine Faces Long-Term Challenges on the Front Line
11.Oct.2026
Trump Eases Sanctions on Russian Fuel After Talks with Putin: Kyiv Fears Boost to Moscow’s War Revenues
10.Oct.2026
Putin Seeks to Strengthen Russia’s Influence in the Post-Soviet Space Through the CIS
10.Oct.2026
Russia and the South Caucasus: External Pressure, Political Competition and a Crisis of Trust
10.Oct.2026
Peaceful Settlement Between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Moving from Declarations to Implementation
10.Oct.2026
Moldova Ready to Accept as Many Ukrainians as Necessary if Situation Worsens This Winter
09.Oct.2026
Turkmenistan Turns Avaza into a Regional Diplomatic Hub as Caspian, Central Asian and CIS Agendas Converge
08.Oct.2026