CSTO not planning to send peacekeepers to Armenia-Sidorov

YEREVAN, September 15. /ARKA/. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is not planning to send a peacekeeping contingent to Armenia, Anatoly Sidorov, head of the CSTO Joint Staff, said at a briefing on Thursday, TASS reported.

Armenia officially asked the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization for military assistance to help it restore its territorial integrity and ensure the withdrawal of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which invaded part of the country following massive aggression against Armenia on September 13 and 14.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves,’ Sidorov said. He added that the problem that exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan should be solved by political and diplomatic methods and use of military force of the CSTO is out of the question.

Sidorov reminded that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a ceasefire, which is being observed.

"That's why we hope that the processes will continue to be solved this way, peacefully, without the use of weapons," said Sidorov.

Around midnight on September 13, the armed forces of Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack in the southern and southeastern directions of the Republic of Armenia, encroaching on the territorial integrity of Armenia. The aggression was carried out with the use of artillery, mortars and UAVs, including not only in the Armenia-Azerbaijan bordering area, but also in the areas of Sotk, Vardenis, Goris, Kapan, Artanish and Ishkhanasar settlements and their civilian infrastructure of Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik regions. As of today, the Armenian side has 105 victims.-0-