YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: It is already known that in the near future an agreement will be reached between the government and the RF [(Russian Federation)] on the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the Sotk-Khoznavar section of Gegharkunik Province, after which the [Armenian] the [Armenian] troops will be taken out from the front line. The fact of the [respective] talks was confirmed yesterday by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Artak Davtyan, in a briefing with reporters.
To the question whether the Azerbaijani side has already given its consent, Davtyan answered: "We have nothing to ask Azerbaijan in our territory; but talks are underway with the party because there are issues. Our goal is the withdrawal—without clashes—of the Azerbaijani [army] units to the border, and we must take the measures entirely in our territory. If necessary, we cooperate with the Russian side."
It is obvious from the strong comment of the head of the General Staff to entrust our sovereign territory to the peacekeepers of another state that only the troops of the Armenian side will withdraw, and it is difficult to say what can happen on our borders as a result.
There is also information that [acting PM] Nikol Pashinyan will sign an agreement in the fall—most likely, in September—, with which, in fact, will recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
