Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh say they have accepted a ceasefire proposed by the Russian peacekeeping mission in the contested region, Armenian media 24News reported.

“With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission located in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of military operations from 13:00 [09:00 GMT] on September 20, 2023,” 24News quoted Nagorno-Karabakh’s president press service as saying.

Peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia to start on Thursday

A first meeting to discuss the ceasefire agreement between authorities from Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan will take place on Thursday in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh, local media reports say.

The deal was reached through negotiations with the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region and envisions the withdrawal of Armenian military units and equipment from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as disarming the local defence forces, according to the region’s officials.