Russia fully supports  non-politicized approach to  3+3 format

ArmInfo.The Russian Federation fully supports the approach of keeping the "3+3" international platform—which includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Iran, and Turkey—free from politicization, as stated by Maria Zakharova,  official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

She was responding  to comments made by Azerbaijani President Ilham  Aliyev suggesting that the 3+3 format should focus on broad regional  issues rather than bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and  Armenia.

Zakharova recalled that the platform's agenda was developed in Moscow  in 2021 specifically to address emerging regional issues through the  efforts of the region's states themselves and their closest  neighbors.  "They are the ones who, like no one else, have a vital  interest in peace and security in the South Caucasus," Zakharova  noted.

She pointed out that the agenda has been refined over the course of  three meetings between foreign ministries: in Moscow (2021), Tehran  (2023), and Istanbul (2024). The agenda is universal in nature,  covering a wide range of multilateral cooperation issues, including  transport, energy, culture, and combating new challenges and threats.  "It is not intended to discuss bilateral relations. This format is  about something else," she stated.

According to Zakharova, Moscow is currently awaiting coordination  between Baku and Yerevan regarding the schedule for the next meetings  of the participating countries' foreign ministers, an arrangement  that was agreed upon following the Istanbul session. Zakharova noted  that during the first expert session of the platform, held on June 5  on the sidelines of the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic  Forum, participants actively focused on the implementation of joint,  mutually beneficial economic projects without politicization. "We  fully share this approach," she concluded.