Armenian leaders from the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh met with Azerbaijani officials to discuss the dissolution of their unrecognized state following a sudden Azerbaijani offensive. Despite a Moscow-brokered cease-fire, reports have emerged that the cease-fire has effectively collapsed, and fighting may be ongoing. Fears of forced displacement and potential ethnic cleansing remain, particularly as Russia has reportedly “evacuated” as many as 2,000 people from the enclave.
Key Points:
- A two-hour summit was held in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, to discuss the reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan, including plans for governance and humanitarian aid.
- Even as talks were being held, reports emerged of cease-fire violations, including gunfire and explosions in the region’s de facto capital, Stepanakert.
- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has pledged to guarantee the rights of the civilian population in the region, but there are still concerns about potential ethnic cleansing.
- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is under scrutiny for not doing more to prevent the military defeat, and his government had made preparations for a potential mass evacuation.
- At least 200 deaths and more than 400 wounded persons have been reported as a result of the Azerbaijani offensive, leading to a burgeoning humanitarian crisis.
Source: https://www.politico.eu/article/azerbaijan-armenia-nagorno-karabakh-summit-yevlakh/
