The conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region flared up again on Tuesday morning with a large-scale military operation. The aggressor Azerbaijan receives visible support from the Kremlin. An expert from the region now explains what is behind it.
Authoritarian Azerbaijan spoke of “local anti-terrorism measures” aimed at “restoring constitutional order.” It has now proven possible to agree on a ceasefire, but this is far from a solution to the conflict that arose during the last phase of the Soviet Union.
‘Putin wants something in return’
As in 2020, when Azerbaijan was able to retake parts of the area, Moscow again mediated the ceasefire. But for South Caucasus expert Stephan Malerius it is clear: “Putin will expect something in return from Azerbaijan,” he explained in an interview with ntv.
Putin is so “absorbed” by the war against Ukraine that he cannot act as a strong player in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, “but more importantly, Putin has changed sides,” the Konrad Adenauer Foundation scientist continues in Georgia. by.
Russian gas flows into the EU via Azerbaijan
For as many as thirty years, Moscow was considered Armenia’s protecting power, but now it is working with Azerbaijan. And this is due to “geopolitical calculations,” says Malerius: “On the one hand, over the past two years under sanctions, Moscow has taken advantage of the opportunity to sell Russian gas to Europe through Azerbaijan. (…) On the other hand, the country is a close ally of Turkey, and good relations with Turkey are also of great importance to Putin. These are the two main factors that Armenia cannot compete against.”
Really a “reliable partner”?
The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan has become an important gas supplier to the EU due to the embargo on Russian oil. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even described the country as a “reliable partner”. In fact, gas is no longer produced there, but Azerbaijan skims the gas from its own market and is supplemented by Russia, the expert tells ntv.
Azerbaijan has “thrown everything overboard”
As a result, Russian rhetoric has now shifted completely to the Azerbaijani side. For years they were neutral – “because both sides were guilty,” Malerius explained. ‘In order to continue to mediate’, the Western states would also try to remain as neutral as possible in the conflict: ‘The West has been promoting the negotiations for months.’ But Azerbaijan has ‘thrown all that overboard’ and now wants to ‘get involved’. Weapons create new realities.”
‘No matches’ is a problem
With regard to Western countries, the main problem is that there is “no commonality and no dialogue” with Azerbaijan, apart from gas and oil supplies, the expert reminds us, and democracy, human rights, civil liberties such as freedom of assembly and freedom of the press The right to freedom of expression is not part of everyday life.
Nevertheless, Malerius demands that the commitment to the peace process, which has in fact already begun, must be continued: “Only the West can move this forward. Russia has no interest in this.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
