The talks took place in three European cities and while each side acknowledged that the other had taken care to listen, neither side appeared ready to give any ground on matters of fundamental importance to the other.

The recurring financial dispute could have political repercussions as well for the country’s pro-Western government as it grapples with the geopolitical realities of being dependent on Russia to keep its 2.5 million people warm.

A day of clashes on the border separating Armenia’s eastern Gegharkunik province and Azerbaijan’s Kalbacar district left three Armenian servicemen and one Azeri dead.