Azerbaijan is the most developed country of the most strategically importance in the region. This cause lifts the number of actors in the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of different interests.

In this respect, except the parties there are 5 major actors in the conflict: USA, Russia, EU, Iran and Turkey. With their own interests and maneuvers these actors search for various ways to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

Russia is one of the most active and main actors in this affair. Being the historical culprit in the creation of the conflict, this state is a co-chair in the OSCE Minsk group today. Russia became much more active in the regional issues when Azerbaijan declared its Caspian resources open to European markets after regaining independence. However, the key reasons to the unfair conduct of Russia in the resolution of the conflict are as follows:     

1) Russia plays an active role in the solution of the conflict not because wants it to be solved. If the conflict is resolved Russia wants it to happen on the basis of its leadership;
2) To keep its military and political influence in Nagorno-Karabakh;
3) Azerbaijan’s West oriented foreign policy and development of cooperation with NATO. This is one of the major irritating factors to Russia and to prevent this process Russia tries to keep the conflict on the agenda;
4) To assure Azerbaijan’s connection to Eurasian Union.  

Evidently, pursuing its usual policy, Russia goes on keeping the region under its influence via ethnic conflicts.

Laman Khalilova
Azerbaijan Realities