France playing peacemaker in Nagorno-Karabakh - Maria Zakharova

ArmInfo.Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has criticized France's increased involvement in the Caucasus, suggesting it serves as a form of compensation for perceived failures in Africa.

Speaking on the program "Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov" on  Russia 1 channel, Zakharova stated, "The growth of Paris' activity in  the Caucasus is a kind of compensation in the public and political  consciousness against the background of the failure of French policy  in Africa", she said.

Zakharova further elaborated on what she termed as France's  "experiments" in the region, suggesting they include activities under  the guise of peacekeeping efforts.

"We realize that this has nothing to do with peacekeeping," she  remarked. Emphasizing Russia's role as a mediator in the  Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Zakharova expressed scepticism about  France's motives in the region. "It was our country that assumed and  fulfilled the entire peacekeeping role even in the context of the  Nagorno-Karabakh settlement as a mediator. Now, after the most  difficult phase is over (hopefully over, if France as a NATO member  does not start stirring up the embers again) they can show off  there," she added.

The remarks from the Russian diplomat come in the wake of Armenian  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's official visit to France in late  February. During a joint briefing with Pashinyan, French President  Emmanuel Macron affirmed Paris' support for efforts aimed at  establishing a just and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.

Zakharova's comments highlight growing tensions between Russia and  France over their respective roles and interests in the Caucasus  region, with Moscow expressing scepticism regarding France's  intentions amidst what it perceives as a setback in its African  policy endeavours.