U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday strongly condemned what she said were “illegal” border attacks by Azerbaijan on Armenia, using a visit to the Russian military ally to pledge American support for Armenian sovereignty. 

Pelosi said her trip had particular importance following the “illegal and deadly attacks by Azerbaijan on Armenian territory” which led to border clashes in which more than 200 people were killed. “We strongly condemn those attacks,” Pelosi said. “This was initiated by the Azeris and there has to be recognition of that.”  The US, Pelosi said, was listening to Armenia about what its defence needs were and said Washington wanted to help and support Armenia in ‘a global struggle between democracy and autocracy.’