ST. PETERSBURG (Realist English). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin made a number of important statements on the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement on the sidelines of the XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Speaking at the “Russia – Azerbaijan” session and during the thematic session “3+3 Platform: Common Challenges and Strategic Partnership,” the diplomat confirmed Moscow’s unwavering position: Russia is ready to offer its venue for the signing of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, and continues to advocate for the full normalization of relations and the unblocking of transport communications in the South Caucasus.
Observers note that Russian foreign policy is increasingly shifting from formal diplomacy toward concrete initiatives for the region’s reconstruction.
Peace Treaty on Russian Soil?
The key point of Galuzin’s address was the reaffirmation of Russia’s readiness to provide a negotiation platform for the conclusion of a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan. This proposal remains valid and has been voiced by the Russian side before.
Consistent support
“As before, we stand ready to assist Baku and Yerevan in unblocking transport and economic communications, resolving humanitarian issues, and to prepare and provide a Russian venue for the signing of a peace treaty,” TASS quoted Galuzin as saying.
Reliance on trilateral agreements
Russian support for normalization is based on the trilateral agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached in 2020–2022.
Long-standing position
Earlier, Galuzin had already stated that Moscow opposes “hasty documents” and believes that a peace treaty should open the way to a sustainable, long‑term settlement, rather than plant a “mine for future generations.”
Venue remains open
Answering a question from RIA Novosti as to whether the peace treaty could be signed in Moscow, Galuzin stressed that determining the date and place of signing is the right of the states themselves.
Unblocking Transport Corridors and Economic Integration
An important direction outlined by the diplomat was support for the complete transport and economic unblocking of the South Caucasus, which Moscow considers a necessary condition for the region’s development.
Conditions for transport connectivity
“Without opening Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as Georgia’s borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it is hardly possible to speak of full-fledged transport connectivity. And the sooner this happens, the more logistics opportunities will appear for all regional players,” Galuzin stated.
Inclusiveness principle
The diplomat stressed that successful interaction among all parties is possible only on the basis of inclusiveness — granting access to participation in projects to all who wish, without creating “narrow clubs of interests.”
Russian business participation
During the “Russia – Azerbaijan” session, Galuzin said that following the April meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, opportunities for Russian business to participate in reconstruction projects in occupied Artsakh had been identified.
The “3+3” Platform: New Impetus for Regional Diplomacy
The diplomat paid considerable attention to the work of the consultative regional platform “3+3,” which brings together Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Potential without external interference
Galuzin pointed to the “significant potential” of the format, allowing the region’s problems to be solved by the states themselves, without destructive outside interference.
Prospects for the next meeting
Russia hopes that the next meeting of foreign ministers in the “3+3” format will take place either in Baku or in Yerevan. “Negotiations on this matter are continuing between our Azerbaijani and Armenian colleagues,” the deputy minister clarified.
Georgia’s role
The diplomat especially welcomed the participation of a representative of Georgia’s expert community in the discussion at SPIEF, calling Tbilisi an important partner without which the platform’s prospects will not be complete. Previously, Georgia had refrained from participating in meetings at the official level.
Galuzin’s statements at SPIEF-2026 can be seen as a systematic presentation of Russia’s “road map” for the South Caucasus, consisting of political, economic and institutional tracks. Unlike Western mediators (in particular France, which Baku has previously excluded from the list of possible venues), Moscow offers concrete mechanisms.
At the same time, the very possibility of achieving peace in 2026 remains in question due to persisting disagreements: one of the key obstacles continues to be Baku’s demand that Armenia amend its constitution to exclude any territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
