Russian peacekeepers have completed their withdrawal from Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to officials in Baku. The region, which Azerbaijan recaptured from Armenian separatists last year, has been a focal point of tension and conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Azerbaijani defense ministry announced that the withdrawal, which commenced in April, was concluded on June 12. This process involved the complete removal of Russian peacekeepers, including their personnel, weapons, and equipment. The agreement for the withdrawal was reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Historical Context
Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has historically been home to a predominantly Armenian population. The region was under the control of pro-Yerevan separatists for nearly three decades. Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought two major wars over this territory—one in the 1990s and another in 2020.
In a swift one-day offensive last September, Azerbaijan reasserted control over Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a significant refugee crisis. Almost the entire local population of approximately 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled to Armenia, fearing persecution and retaliation.
Geopolitical Shifts
The conflict has strained the traditionally strong relationship between Russia and Armenia. Yerevan has criticized Moscow for not providing adequate protection against Azerbaijani advances. In response to losing control over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia has been seeking to establish new security alliances, notably strengthening ties with Western nations.
On Tuesday, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O’Brien announced an upgrade in bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership Commission. This development underscores Armenia's pivot towards the West in seeking new security and diplomatic partnerships.
Recent Developments
In a move aimed at securing a lasting peace with Azerbaijan, Armenia returned four border villages to Baku last month. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan defended this decision amidst a backdrop of widespread protests in Armenia, asserting that it was a step towards achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
Future Implications
The completion of the Russian peacekeepers' withdrawal marks a significant shift in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dynamics. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the broader geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus and the evolving relationships among Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, and Western nations.
