The ARF Armenian Cause Central Council has issued a statement responding to remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova concerning Artsakh and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The ARF Armenian Cause Central Council, however, stressed that Armenia did not request CSTO assistance during the 44-day war. The council also stated that Armenia did not officially, de jure, recognize the Republic of Artsakh in order to preserve the negotiation process. All settlement proposals presented by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, particularly since November 2007, included a roadmap for implementing the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination. The ARF Armenian Cause network is using all its capabilities to support the realization of that right," the statement said.