Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia is in contact with all sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, according to Russian newspaper Vedomosti.

According to the Russian president, who made these statements during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russia expects a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh situation.

Putin also said that the Russian peacekeeping force is doing everything to protect civilians.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that an agreement had been reached for a full ceasefire in the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that it would be implemented in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping force.

He also noted that Russian blue-collar workers were continuing their work in Nagorno-Karabakh, providing all possible assistance to civilians and staying in close contact with all sides.

The main base of the Russian peacekeeping force now housed 2,261 civilians, including 1,049 children, according to the Russian ministry.

Armenians in the breakaway Azeri enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh announced they would lay down their arms today as part of a truce reached with Azerbaijan that came into effect at 12:00 GMT following Russian mediation, the day after Baku launched an attack on the disputed enclave.