The Azerbaijan State News Agency

“Separatist "elections" in Nagorno Karabakh are illegal”, Alexander Nesterov

Moscow, July 18 (AZERTAC). “I consider that it is quite objectively that such “elections” can't be considered as elections within any independent state because none of the separatist regimes was internationally recognized. And participation of the international observers on these elections is inappropriate”, the head of the European Studies Chair of the Ural Federal University after B. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg), professor Alexander Nesterov told in his interview to AZERTAC correspondent, concerning the so-called elections upcoming tomorrow in the occupied Azerbaijani territories - in Nagorno Karabakh.

According to him, the international organizations have to adopt resolution that before holding any election the political solution of the question is necessary. In all other cases, elections in Nagorno Karabakh are illegal and have separatist character.

Speaking of the solution of the question and activity of the OSCE Minsk Group, A. Nesterov expressed regret, noting that similar conflicts are not quickly solved.

Making comments on the question that there is an opinion as if the key from the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is in Moscow, Mr. Nesterov called such opinions biased. “Keys lie much further and the question is much wider, because the lobby supporting Nagorno Karabakh is based, first of all, not in Moscow, but in France, the USA and Canada, where there are a lot of supporters of separatist independence of Karabakh. Russia is one of the participants, and even not leading, of the possible solution of this conflict. Because, Russia can and that is not always, support, in any political sense, Armenia, instead of Nagorno Karabakh.”

Alexander Nesterov also considers that Turkey could join this process as it is the major regional player on position of which a lot of things depends.

“I would like to note that the policy of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict is built very deliberately and elaborately. He doesn't go to the open conflict, continuing negotiation process, and at the same time methodically protects national interests of the country. I would characterize it as the reasonable and weighed policy. In general, he is a successful politician who in many respects inherited policy of his father, and leads the country on the way defined by Heydar Aliyev in the 90s”, Alexander Nesterov emphasized.

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

Azerbaijani MPs and NGO Heads appeal to US lawmakers

Top stories update

Azerbaijan, China explore agricultural cooperation

Participants of 4th International Conference in Baku Dialogue format visit Lachin district

President Ilham Aliyev and Head of Chechen Republic of Russia have lunch together VIDEO

Verstappen wins dramatic, rain-hit Singapore Sprint as Russell crashes and McLarens collide

President Ilham Aliyev and Head of Chechen Republic of Russia visited Baku White City VIDEO

President Ilham Aliyev received Head of Chechen Republic of Russia VIDEO

Ramzan Kadyrov reiterates condolences over Baku–Grozny aircraft crash

International travelers observe demining process in Jabrayil district

Release from the Press Service of the President

10-man Galatasaray strike twice late to beat Kasimpasa 3-1 in Turkish Super Lig

Trump says Russia to supply diesel fuel to American, global markets

Yemen urges UN Security Council to take action against Houthis

Azerbaijani Agriculture Minister visits China

Azerbaijani ambassador to Sweden meets with SSANA representatives

International travelers visit Zangilan district

Indonesian ambassador officially inaugurates Azerbaijan Pencak Silat Community

Top stories update

Azeri Light price exceeds $130

China's Long March-12 rocket launches new internet satellite group

Oil prices climb on global markets

Azerbaijan highlights importance of Baku Call to Action at UN discussion

Türkiye part ways with head coach Montella after World Cup exit, Nations League defeats

Former ICC judge Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Israeli tourists visit Gabala State Historical and Artistic Reserve

Uzbek-Language edition of “IRS-Heritage” magazine presented in Tashkent

SOCAR secures ESG rating in S&P Global’s 2026 Corporate Sustainability Assessment

President Ilham Aliyev’s social media accounts shared video on his visit to Turkmenistan VIDEO

Panel highlighting Azerbaijani literature held at Frankfurt Book Fair

Drought declared in Yorkshire after dry weather

Russia developing Caspian Sea research program — Putin

Azerbaijan, Japan explore enhancing digital development cooperation

ASAN Khidmet experience presented to Japanese delegation

Azerbaijan, Germany enhance energy and technology partnership

Azerbaijani figure skaters win bronze at international tournament in Almaty

Ethiopia tells UN Security Council it has no choice but to defend itself against Eritrea

Azerbaijani Para-taekwondo fighter bags silver in France

Azerbaijani Permanent Mission to UN: TRIPP to unlock new opportunities for regional trade and economic integration

International travellers visit Ganjasar Monastery Complex

Tokyo's historic Hyakudan Kaidan building reopens after one-year closure

Azerbaijan, Türkiye expand healthcare cooperation

Kazakh President highlights importance of Trans-Caspian Route

Azerbaijan, Germany exchange expertise in banking regulation

Azerbaijani Permanent Mission to UN: Extensive presence of landmines continues to hinder return of IDPs

Kyrgyzstan, Korea to develop cooperation in investment sector

International conference participants visit Shusha

CIS declares 2029 Year of Transport Connectivity

Azerbaijan calls on states to prohibit organizations that promote or incite racial discrimination

Sadyr Zhaparov invites CIS leaders to Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek in 2027

President of Uzbekistan proposes new directions for expanding cooperation within the CIS

Azerbaijan joins Olympic Solidarity Forum in Croatia

Azerbaijan, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank sign grant agreements for green energy projects

CIS countries to join forces in fight against cybercrime

CIS heads of state adopt statement on preservation of historical memory

CIS countries to conduct population censuses as close to 2030 as possible

President Ilham Aliyev concluded working visit to Turkmenistan

President Ilham Aliyev met with President of Iran in Turkmenbashi VIDEO

® Silk Way West Airlines expands digital booking access through CargoAi

Vietnamese delegation visits Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences

® Azercell — exclusive partner of Gamesummit and OMNI AI Summit

West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes found in Central and Northern Israel

Azerbaijan’s tourism potential showcased in Poland

UN Resident Coordinator visits ASAN Khidmet Center in Baku

International travelers tour Khudavang Monastery Complex in Kalbajar

Turkmenbashi hosted expanded meeting of Caspian Environmental Summit VIDEO

Azerbaijani delegation holds several meetings as part of 78th Frankfurt International Book Fair

16 donors in Bulgaria led to 34 transplantations in 2025 - Simidchiev MP

Baku hosts opening ceremony of EYBA Autumn Conference 2026

Malaysia closes schools in several states, territories due to haze

President Ilham Aliyev: It is necessary to assess the possible long-term consequences of ongoing changes and take them into account in decision-making

President Ilham Aliyev: Permanent mechanism needed for cooperation and monitoring of implementation of decisions on Caspian Sea

President Ilham Aliyev: Continued shallowing of the Caspian could have catastrophic consequences

President: Preservation of the Caspian’s unique ecosystem is a common task for all littoral states

President Ilham Aliyev: It is important to preserve the Caspian as a zone of peace, stability, and constructive partnership

NATO Training Course opens in Baku

Baku hosts 14th International Acoustic Engineering Forum

President Ilham Aliyev viewed national stands of CIS member states in Turkmenbashi

Turkish media highlights Azerbaijani President’s visit to Turkmenistan

Participants of 4th International Conference in Baku Dialogue format visit Khojaly Genocide Memorial

Azerbaijan showcases its year-round tourism offerings in four cities across Türkiye

Turkmenbashi hosted expanded-format meeting of CIS Council of Heads of State VIDEO

Azerbaijan and Estonia exchange expertise in insurance sector

Azerbaijan’s Central Bank Governor addresses Istanbul Economic Forum

Top stories update

Istanbul marks Turkic States Cooperation Day, 17th anniversary of Nakhchivan Agreement

Azerbaijan keen to strengthen cooperation with UN

President Ilham Aliyev attended limited-format meeting of CIS Council of Heads of State VIDEO

Pashinyan: Azerbaijani railway used to transport cargo to Armenia; TRIPP project set to be implemented

® Kapital Bank expands access to international investment markets through bond placement

Gold prices rise by nearly $70 on global markets

5 dead, 14 injured in school bus accident in Nepal

Trump awards top US science, technology medals to Musk, 5 tech executives

Oil prices fall on global markets

® Entrepreneurs to sign documents on Etender.gov.az using SİMA İmza

Azeri Light exceeds $8

President: Azerbaijan is also ready to assume the CIS chairmanship in 2028

President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan strengthens its position as one of the region's key transport hubs

President: Events in Lachin, declared the Commonwealth’s Cultural Capital, offered an opportunity to become better acquainted with the region’s rich and ancient history

President Ilham Aliyev: Over the past years, the CIS has established itself as a demand-driven platform for maintaining political dialogue