Armenia's parliament votes to join the International Criminal Court in a move that Russia had already said would be an unfriendly step. Meanwhile, there are "surreal" scenes in the abandoned enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Most of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh have fled to Armenia since Azerbaijan launched its offensive to retake control the enclave.

Fearing revenge from Azerbaijan, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh began leaving en masse. More than a thousand refugees have already arrived in Armenia.

Azerbaijan launched an "anti-terrorist" operation in the Armenia-backed breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku's government said a truce and talks were contingent on the enclave's unconditional surrender.

Foreign ministers from both Caucasus countries met for peace talks in the United States. Russia said any new agreement must build upon the peace deal it negotiated in 2020, which failed to stop further clashes.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been in a deadlock for decades, fighting two wars over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave that have killed thousands of people.

The Lachin Corridor is the only route connecting Armenia to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Baku said it was responding to a similar move by Armenia.

The Azeri president accused his French counterpart of siding with Armenia over the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Macron was due to mediate new EU-brokered talks in Brussels next month.

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said 49 of its soldiers died in overnight clashes, while Azerbaijan's defence ministry said 50 of its servicemen were also killed. The neighbouring countries have fought two wars and seen regular smaller clashes span three decades.