UNSC to hold meeting on outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan

As recent clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces along the border of two countries left many dead on Tuesday, the United Nations Secretary-General expressed his concern in a written statement and called on sides to take steps to deescalate tensions.

49 Armenian troops and 50 Azerbaijani troops have been reportedly killed in clashes that according to the Armenian Defense Ministry began with coordinated attacks by Azerbaijan, while the latter claimed that fighting started upon "provocative actions" by Armenian units.

The council of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) held a meeting via video link on Tuesday evening to discuss the outbreak of hostilities. The meeting, chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, the State Secretary of Belarus and the Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO Valery Semerikov.

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on the situation on Wednesday.

The United States: Congressman calls on Washington to halt all assistance to Azerbaijan

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Twitter that he talked over the phone with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, and urged "an immediate end to military actions along the Armenian-Azerbaijan border."

Adam Schiff, California representative for the Democratic Party in the US Congress and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, called upon Washington to "halt all assistance to Azerbaijan immediately and permanently."

He said:

"Azerbaijan has reportedly shelled the homes of innocent civilians in Artsakh and is now attacking Armenia’s border. An egregious violation of the ceasefire and direct attack on Armenia’s sovereignty. The U.S. must halt all assistance to Azerbaijan - immediately and permanently."

The European Union: "Cease fire needs to be respected"

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border with President of the European Council Charles Michel on Tuesday, the Armenian government said.

Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, said that he called the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to discuss the situation on the ground.

"The hostilities must stop and cease fire needs to be respected. EU ready to support de-escalation efforts," he said.

Iran: "Any change in the borders inadmissible"

As Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalation of tensions on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and called for restraint, Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for the Ministry stressed the "inadmissibility for Iran of any change in the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan."

Turkey: "Azerbaijan never stands alone"

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Armenia should stop its provocations along the border with Azerbaijan and instead make peace.

“Armenia needs to learn its lesson and seek peace," he continued, adding: "We always stand on the side with dear Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan never stands alone."