Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations and Russia’s Policy in the South Caucasus. Expert Discussion
On January 23, 2025, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion dedicated to the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and Russia’s policy in the South Caucasus. After the Karabakh conflict, the situation in the South Caucasus remains quite tense and unstable. Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently in dialogue on the peace treaty parameters. Within its framework, on January 16, the parties agreed to begin work on delimiting the border. But the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities continue to exchange accusations and harsh statements. Sometimes Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia also become complicated. This concerns, in particular, the prospects for Armenia’s participation in the CSTO and the EAEU, as well as the policy of integration with the European Union proclaimed by Yerevan. The recent tragedy with the AZAL airliner, which led to significant coverage in the media, became a test of relations with Azerbaijan. What are the prospects for concluding a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia? How realistic is it to fulfil the peace conditions put forward by the two countries’ leaders? What is the state of Russian-Azerbaijani and Russian-Armenian relations? How are Russia’s interests and policies in the Caucasus changing in the context of increased interest in the region from other external players? Speakers: Sergey Markedonov, Leading Researcher, Center for Euro-Atlantic Security, Institute of International Studies, MGIMO, Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Iskandaryan, Director, Caucasus Institute (Yerevan) Nikolai Silaev, Leading Researcher, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO, Russian Foreign Ministry Kamran Gasanov, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theory and History of Journalism, Philological Faculty, RUDN University Moderator: Oleg Barabanov, Programme Director, Valdai Discussion Club
On January 23, 2025, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion dedicated to the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and Russia’s policy in the South Caucasus. After the Karabakh conflict, the situation in the South Caucasus remains quite tense and unstable. Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently in dialogue on the peace treaty parameters. Within its framework, on January 16, the parties agreed to begin work on delimiting the border. But the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities continue to exchange accusations and harsh statements. Sometimes Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia also become complicated. This concerns, in particular, the prospects for Armenia’s participation in the CSTO and the EAEU, as well as the policy of integration with the European Union proclaimed by Yerevan. The recent tragedy with the AZAL airliner, which led to significant coverage in the media, became a test of relations with Azerbaijan. What are the prospects for concluding a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia? How realistic is it to fulfil the peace conditions put forward by the two countries’ leaders? What is the state of Russian-Azerbaijani and Russian-Armenian relations? How are Russia’s interests and policies in the Caucasus changing in the context of increased interest in the region from other external players? Speakers: Sergey Markedonov, Leading Researcher, Center for Euro-Atlantic Security, Institute of International Studies, MGIMO, Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Iskandaryan, Director, Caucasus Institute (Yerevan) Nikolai Silaev, Leading Researcher, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO, Russian Foreign Ministry Kamran Gasanov, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theory and History of Journalism, Philological Faculty, RUDN University Moderator: Oleg Barabanov, Programme Director, Valdai Discussion Club