U.S. urges Azerbaijan to end hostilities and ensure humanitarian access in Karabakh

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in a phone call with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the immediate necessity for Azerbaijan to refrain from any further hostilities and to provide unimpeded humanitarian access to the conflict-ridden area.

According to the official statement released by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken underlined the importance of assuring the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh that they can lead secure lives in their homes, with their rights fully protected. Blinken also urged President Aliyev to commit to a "broad amnesty" and to allow the deployment of an international observer mission into Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, Secretary Blinken acknowledged President Aliyev's public commitment to fostering a future in Nagorno-Karabakh that is rooted in peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect.

During a subsequent press briefing, Matthew Miller expounded on the contents of the call, reiterating the urgency conveyed by Secretary Blinken to President Aliyev. Miller emphasized the need for unconditional protection and freedom of movement for civilians within Nagorno-Karabakh, along with unimpeded humanitarian access to the region.

"The Secretary spoke again to President Aliyev today and underscored the urgency of no further hostilities, that there be unconditional protections and freedom of movement for civilians, that there be unhindered humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh," Miller stated.

Miller also conveyed that President Aliyev committed to abstaining from any further military action and expressed a willingness to accept an observer mission in the region.

"And I will say that we note, and the Secretary noted in that call, that the president, President Aliyev, has said there will be no further military action, and we expect him to abide by that. He has also said that he would accept an observer mission, and we would expect him to abide by that," Miller remarked.