Latest news with #NagornoKarabakh
Russia Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to Azerbaijan's position on Ukraine conflict
Russia disagrees with Azerbaijan's stance on the Ukraine conflict but hopes that this divergence in views will not hinder efforts to restore bilateral ties in light of a recent rift, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. He added that Moscow wants to resolve the tensions in its relationship with Baku. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently urged Ukraine to 'never agree to occupation.' Speaking at the Shusha Global Media Forum last week, Aliyev encouraged Kiev to consider Azerbaijan's approach to resolving its territorial dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. The longstanding conflict between Baku and Yerevan over the breakaway region ended in 2023 after Azerbaijan retook it by force, prompting the departure of its remaining ethnic Armenian population. Peskov acknowledged the differences in the positions of Russia and Azerbaijan on the Ukraine conflict, but insisted that this has not been an obstacle in relations. He added that Moscow seeks 'to move past what we hope is a brief period of cooling in bilateral relations and avoid sacrificing mutually beneficial interests for the sake of a short-term situation.' Tensions between Moscow and Baku have been rising following the deaths of two Azerbaijani nationals suspected of being gang members during a Russian law enforcement operation in Ekaterinburg last month. The Azerbaijani authorities rejected the conclusions of the Russian investigation and accused the police of unlawful killings. In response, Azerbaijani police raided the local office of the Russian news network Sputnik, detaining two journalists along with several other Russian nationals. The government also suspended all Russia-related cultural events. Despite the strain, Moscow has emphasized the historically cooperative nature of its relationship with Baku and voiced hope for a de-escalation of tensions.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conflict between Russia and Azerbaijan escalates
Tensions between Russia and the neighbouring Caucasus republic of Azerbaijan are escalating against the backdrop of Moscow's war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned Baku not to jeopardize relations between the two countries because of the war. Moscow, he said, is counting on "getting through what will hopefully be a short period of cooling in bilateral relations," Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday. Moscow's rebuke was triggered by comments made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who expressed his solidarity with Ukraine during an interview with Ukrainian journalists. He called on Kiev not to accept the Russian occupation of parts of its territory and to recapture them, as Azerbaijan had done with Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2020, Baku conquered the conflict-ridden region inhabited by Armenians in a brief war against its neighbour. Russian military bloggers reacted with outrage, some calling for "a show of strength; not just sabre-rattling, but concrete violent measures." There was talk of a violation of national honour. The background to the growing tensions is the shooting down of an Azerbaijani passenger plane by a Russian surface-to-air missile at the end of 2024. The aircraft was approaching Grozny, where Russian air defences were engaged with Ukrainian drones at the time. Thirty-eight people were killed in the emergency landing. Azerbaijan complains that Russia has never acknowledged responsibility for the incident. Aliyev recently announced his intention to take the matter to international courts. A series of criminal proceedings against Azerbaijanis in the Russian Ural region is further straining relations. Two Azerbaijanis died during the arrests at the end of June. Baku saw this as ethnically motivated and responded with arrests of Russians in its own territory, including journalists from Moscow state media.
Russia Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Armenia hints it may leave Russian-led military alliance
Armenia will likely quit the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. Yerevan suspended its participation in the organization a year ago, claiming that it had failed to adequately support the country during its conflict with Azerbaijan, which ended with the forcible repatriation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russia and Armenia were among the former Soviet republics which founded the CSTO in 1992; it also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Russia has argued that the CSTO could not have considered Baku's military operation in the area as aggression against an alliance member, due to Armenia never recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as its own territory. Moscow also pointed out Yerevan's repeated rejection of the territorial compromise proposals with Baku which were suggested by Russian authorities. Pashinyan said during a press conference on Wednesday that 'regarding the issue of leaving or not leaving the CSTO, I will say that it is most likely that Armenia will leave the CSTO rather than unfreeze its participation.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said previously that being in the alliance is a 'sovereign decision' for Yerevan to make. 'The membership in the CSTO brings certain benefits to Armenia… the CSTO is an organization that has repeatedly demonstrated its efficiency,' he argued. Yerevan has become increasingly pro-Western under Pashinyan; during the press-conference, the prime minister reiterated that 'Armenia wants to be a member of the EU,' reflecting a law signed earlier this year indicating this intention. However, he acknowledged that it will be 'a complicated process' as the country would need to meet certain standards and get approval from all member states. Tensions have been high in Armenia in recent weeks following the arrest of two senior clerics of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) and one of its key supporters, Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan. They have been accused of plotting to overthrow Pashinyan's government after urging people to protest the prime minister's decision to hand over several border villages to Azerbaijan. Peskov said last month that Moscow was 'interested in the preservation of law and order in Armenia' and that members of the large Armenian diaspora in Russia have been following the events in the country 'with pain.'
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
How Turkiye views Azerbaijan-Russia tensions
In recent days, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have entered a new phase of unprecedented tension due to several incidents and shifting geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus. These tensions hold significant implications not only for Baku and Moscow, but also for Turkiye, a close ally of Azerbaijan and a country that has long walked a fine line in its relations with Russia, despite being a NATO member. Ankara's response to the escalating tension between Baku and Moscow seems to be strategically measured. Turkiye has urged restraint from both sides and expressed its concern over the broader instability in the South Caucasus. However, beneath these calls for calm lie well-calculated foreign policy considerations based on Turkiye's regional ambitions and relations with both sides. Understanding how Ankara perceives the tensions between Baku and Moscow and what it means for its foreign policy in the region is important. The tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have been simmering beneath the surface for some time but have peaked recently. Azerbaijan's victory in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war has fueled its ambitions and encouraged President Ilham Aliyev, who has been in power since 2003, to pursue a foreign policy that is less reliant on Moscow. Three significant events have led Russia to lose its previously held influence on Azerbaijan and the broader South Caucasus: Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh victory, the prolonged war in Ukraine, and its loss of a key ally in Syria. These developments have also shifted the balance of power in the South Caucasus, with Azerbaijan positioning itself as a more autonomous actor, Armenia repairing its ties with both Ankara and Baku, and Turkiye filling the vacuum created by the diminishing Russian and Iranian influence. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, returning from a visit to Azerbaijan last week, said to reporters aboard his flight that Turkiye's 'greatest wish' is to ensure these 'unfortunate incidents' do not lead to 'irreparable damage' in Baku-Moscow relations. His statement reflected Ankara's cautious approach that aims to maintain its close strategic relationship with both countries. Turkiye's relationship with Azerbaijan is often described as 'one nation, two states' due to the cultural and political bonds between them. During the 2020 war, Turkiye offered support to Azerbaijan, although only doing so carefully to avoid provoking Russia directly. On the other hand, Turkiye and Russia, despite having differences on some regional issues, have maintained a balanced relationship. They have found ways to compartmentalize their ties, from energy cooperation to arms purchases, such as Turkiye's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, despite Western countries' unease. The compartmentalized nature of their relationship was cemented through the close personal ties between Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin. The tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have been simmering beneath the surface for some time but have peaked recently Dr. Sinem Cengiz Given this personalized and interest-oriented relationship, Turkiye cannot pick a side in this situation. Rather, it can rely on its relationship with both sides to avoid any instability in the South Caucasus that may threaten its regional goals. To maintain the status quo, Turkiye is now pushing for a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On Thursday, Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Abu Dhabi, a meeting that could be considered a turning point for the balances in the South Caucasus. There are also reports that Turkiye is working on a tentative agreement with Armenia and Azerbaijan on the long-debated Zangezur Corridor, which — if concluded — would mark a watershed moment in the region. Ankara views the corridor as part of a 'geoeconomic revolution,' in the words of Erdogan. Unsurprisingly, this corridor is viewed with concern by both Russia and Iran, which fear being sidelined. Meanwhile, some former Azerbaijani officials have publicly called for the establishment of a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan. While no official confirmation has been forthcoming, such statements signal that Baku is seeking to bolster its military capabilities and infrastructure, most likely with Turkish support. This will certainly annoy Moscow; however, Turkiye is likely to be careful not to appear too assertive. Unlike Western countries — which seem to view the Baku-Moscow tensions as an opportunity to further isolate Russia and bring Azerbaijan closer to the Western sphere — Turkiye prefers a balancing act that avoids isolating Russia and prevents Azerbaijan from taking bolder steps. This is because Ankara sees there is too much at stake to risk a complete rupture between Baku and Moscow. Unlike the West, Turkiye is more focused on economic integration in the South Caucasus, which is not only part of its neighborhood but also a geopolitical corridor vital to its interests. I assume Ankara is also well aware that, despite the rhetorical escalation and retaliatory actions, Azerbaijan and Russia are unlikely to completely sever their ties. Their economic and regional interdependence requires maintaining relationships despite mutual suspicion and distrust. Also, what we see is that much of the tension is largely influenced by the personalities of the two leaders. Certainly, incidents such as last December's shooting down of an Azerbaijani civilian plane by Russia, which killed 38 people, and tit-for-tat arrests have exposed deep-seated tensions that will not be easily repaired. However, the past shows that severe rifts can be overcome. For example, consider the 2015 incident when Turkiye downed a Russian military jet near the Syrian border. Turkish-Russian bilateral relations hit rock bottom in the wake of the incident, but within a year the two sides had restored ties and even launched the Astana peace process for Syria. A similar trajectory could emerge between Baku and Moscow, with current tensions giving way to a pragmatic detente. • Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye's relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz
The National
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Peace talks between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia took place in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was confirmed by their respective governments. It comes after the two nations agreed to a draft peace deal in March. Mr Aliyev shared pictures of the meeting on X, in which the two leaders are seen shaking hands. The Azerbaijani government had on Wednesday issued a statement confirming the talks would talk place in Abu Dhabi, "within the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process". The Armenian government shared a press release after the meeting, saying the parties had discussed " various aspects of the agenda" for establishing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. The statement said both sides had agreed to continue bilateral negotiations and "confidence-building measures". Both leaders thanked President Sheikh Mohamed for his warm hospitality and for organising the bilateral meeting. Long-standing tension For more than three decades, Armenia and Azerbaijan have wrestled over the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region with a majority Armenian population that was assigned within Soviet Azerbaijan by the USSR in the 1920s. They have fought two wars – in the 1990s and in 2020 – over the region, Azerbaijan's Armenian-populated enclave. More than 6,500 people were killed in six weeks of fighting in the autumn of 2020. That ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire. Under the deal, Armenia ceded parts of territory it had controlled for decades and Moscow sent about 2,000 peacekeepers to monitor the truce. The two nations agreed to a draft peace deal in March, after Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh in September 2023. The signing of the deal has yet to take place, Reuters reported. "President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting with the participation of their delegations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates," said the office of Mr Aliyev. The meeting was also reported by state media in Azerbaijan. The talks come a day after President Sheikh Mohamed held talks in Abu Dhabi with Mr Pashinyan, as part of his working visit to the UAE. "Our talks focused on deepening ties, especially in trade, investment and innovation," said Mr Pashinyan on X. "Armenia values its partnership with the UAE and is committed to advancing our shared goals." Sheikh Mohamed stressed the UAE's support for reinforcing stability and security in the Caucasus region. He also met Azerbaijan's President on Wednesday. The leaders discussed efforts to bolster bilateral ties in key sectors such as the economy, investment, food security, renewable energy and the environment at Qasr Al Shati, as part of Mr Aliyev's working visit to the Emirates.
