Moscow Is Closely Monitoring the Armenia-Azerbaijan ‘Peace’ Deal, Putin tells Pashinyan

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently spoke on the phone with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin about the recent peace talks in Washington, D.C. Even though many countries welcomed the talks, many experts believe the deal is unfair to Armenia.

Russia says it is still closely monitoring the situation. Moscow also reminded that the 2020 agreements it helped broker between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain in effect. Russian officials have warned that any peace process must consider the wider regional context and involve neighbors like Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Moscow also continues to play a role in border security and economic cooperation with Armenia.

At the meeting in Washington, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace agreement outlining how they plan to cooperate. They also asked the OSCE to stop the Minsk Group, which for many years could not stop Azerbaijan’s aggression against ethnic Armenians in Artsakh.

A key part of the agreement is a new trade route called the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” or TRIPP. This route will pass through Armenia and is said to boost trade and cooperation in the region. However, many remain skeptical about its true purpose and impact. 

Prime Minister Pashinyan says the project is only about business and poses no military threat, but doubts and concerns still exist about how this route might affect Armenia’s security and sovereignty.

Iran welcomed the peace agreement but is cautious about foreign activity near its borders. Iranian leaders said they want peace, but want to ensure new routes do not threaten security.

The European Union (EU) supports the peace deal and sees it as an important step for the region. The EU says it is ready to provide funding and projects to help the countries build lasting peace. 

However, a lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without justice for the people of Artsakh. Azerbaijan’s aggression led to ethnic cleansing and the killing of innocent Armenians. These crimes must be fully condemned and stopped, and all Armenian political prisoners held in Baku must be released immediately.

True peace can only come when Azerbaijan respects the right of Artsakh’s people to exist on their indigenous land.

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