CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VOLUME VII (1, 2) Contemporary-Eurasia-3new | Page 114

SOUTH CAUCASUS:
REGIONAL CONFLICTS AND CHALLENGES
LILIT GALSTYAN
RUSSIA AND THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH
CONFLICT: SPOILING THROUGH MEDIATION?
Abstract
The aim of this research is to examine the role of the Russian leadership in
the Nagorno-Karabakh confl ict and to understand whether they were mediat-
ing the confl ict or spoiling its peaceful resolution. The cases of Boris Yeltsin,
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev are illustrated in order to compare
their eff orts to reach a peaceful resolution to the NK confl ict. The method-
ology of study comprises secondary data analysis and content analysis of six
presidential statements. As a result, based on the analyzed data we conclude
that Russia neither spoiled nor mediated the confl ict over Nagorno-Kara-
bakh by being content with the current state of frozen negotiations over Na-
gorno-Karabakh. What is more, from the analysis of fi ndings we conclude
that compared to Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev made
signifi cant eff orts to put the NK confl ict on the edge of its resolution.
Keywords: Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia, mediation, spoiling, frozen confl ict
Introduction
When observing the causes behind the failure of various eff orts to
fi nd solutions to frozen confl icts, it is necessary to consider the interests
and demands of all regional stakeholders, which are involved in the con-
fl icts. More to that, it is essential to take into account that each confl ict is
unique and that distinct actors always pursue their separate interests by
either spoiling the resolution of confl icts or fi nding a peaceful ground for
their settlement. This study focuses on the issue over NK, inasmuch as
this topic never loses its importance by remaining a signifi cantly relevant
case not only with regards to Armenia and Azerbaijan but also for the en-
tire Caucasian region. The paper will view the Nagorno-Karabakh con-
114