Amid the complex geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus, a recent telephone conversation between the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye and Russia has underscored the urgency of advancing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Hakan Fidan of Türkiye and Sergey Lavrov of Russia exchanged views on the critical matter, with Türkiye’s stance on hastening a peace agreement reflecting its strong alliance with Azerbaijan and its strategic ties with Moscow.
As the two nations with a tumultuous history over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region navigate towards reconciliation, notable progress includes a prisoner exchange and a collaborative intent to normalize relations and reach a definitive peace deal. However, the journey to peace faced a hiccup when Azerbaijani forces moved into Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, resulting in a swift capitulation by Armenian separatist forces after a single day of conflict, followed by their acquiescence to reintegrate with Azerbaijan.
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Further complicating the regional dynamics is the acknowledgement by Russia of difficulties in fulfilling its arms supply commitments to Armenia, even as it remains hopeful for Armenia’s continued alliance despite these issues. At the same time, Russia is actively working towards facilitating a peace treaty between the two nations, a move that mirrors the U.S. commitment to support direct negotiations.
The release of 32 Armenian POWs by Azerbaijan adds a layer of positivity to the negotiations, and a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers is slated to take place in the U.S. in January, potentially marking a significant step towards the normalization of relations. Amidst these developments, it’s important to note the legal aspect concerning the use of cookies for advertising and marketing purposes on the website, as well as the measures taken to protect personal data in accordance with Türkiye’s legislation.