MOSCOW - Russia expressed grave concern on Saturday over the recent military conflict along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, calling on all parties involved to stop fighting and exercise restrains.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday held talks with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry. She said that Russia would maintain constant contact with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also held emergency phone talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, according to the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged both conflicting parties to cease fire immediately and exercise restraint.
Heavy fighting broke out on Saturday between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Azerbaijan claimed that 12 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed and a helicopter downed by the Armenian forces.  (Xinhua)