All articles tagged with #karabakh
Armenia goes to parliamentary elections with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party seeking a strong mandate to pivot toward Western partners, amid Moscow-backed trade restrictions and warnings about EU integration; the vote pits a Western-leaning government against pro-Russian opposition factions, as Karabakh peace dynamics and Armenia’s place in European and Eurasian blocs shape the campaign.
Armenia hosted the European Political Community summit and EU-Armenia talks, signaling a turning point as Yerevan moves closer to the EU and Ukraine; Moscow rebuked the shift and Russian state media criticized the visit after Armenia’s CSTO departure and hints of EU membership. Zelenskyy’s first Armenian visit in 24 years focused on restoring dialogue, expanding economic ties, and security cooperation, including plans to resume the Joint Intergovernmental Commission in Kyiv, while discussions about future talks with Putin and Russia’s role in the region continued amid Armenia’s still-present Russian defense commitments (Gyumri base).
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan is on track for a landslide victory in the country's presidential election, with preliminary results showing him leading with over 92% of the votes. The election was called after Azerbaijani troops retook the Karabakh region from ethnic Armenian forces, leading to a surge in Aliyev's popularity. However, the election has been criticized by opposition parties for lacking democratic principles and for alleged rigging.
Ethnic Armenian separatists in Karabakh have announced the dissolution of their breakaway republic and their intention to become a part of Azerbaijan by the end of the year. The announcement marks the end of one of the world's longest "frozen conflicts." Residents are urged to familiarize themselves with the conditions of reintegration offered by Azerbaijan and make an independent decision on whether to stay. Armenia stated that over 70,000 people have already left the region, and the Armenian president expects the entire region to clear out in the coming days. The change in the situation follows an "anti-terrorist operation" by Azerbaijan, which led to a truce and disarmament agreement with the separatists. Azerbaijan wants ethnic Armenians to remain in Karabakh and become part of its multi-ethnic society, while Armenia accuses Baku of ethnic cleansing.
The leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but beyond Baku's control, has stated that the 120,000 ethnic Armenians living there will leave for Armenia due to their unwillingness to live under Azerbaijani rule and fear of ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijan has denied any intention to harm them and has promised to guarantee their rights and integrate the region. The process of disarmament is underway, and humanitarian aid has started to arrive. The exodus of the Armenian population could have significant implications for the South Caucasus region, where various powers are vying for influence.
Azerbaijan is considering granting amnesty to Karabakh Armenian fighters who surrender their weapons, although some military units have expressed their intention to continue resisting. Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan's president, stated that even former combatants could be eligible for amnesty. Azerbaijan aims for the peaceful reintegration of Karabakh Armenians and has also pledged humanitarian aid to the region.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said he is willing to recognise the Karabakh enclave as part of Azerbaijan if Baku guarantees the security of its ethnic Armenian population. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said a peace agreement with Armenia was "inevitable". Russia helped secure a truce to halt a six-week conflict in 2020, but the agreement has not led to lasting peace, and armed clashes are common along the border. Armenia and Azerbaijan were due to discuss the unblocking of transport links at a meeting next week, where Russia will also be present.