Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated Ankara’s support for Azerbaijan on Monday, as the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to fail. Since fighting broke out between Azeri and Armenian forces in the disputed enclave on September 27th, Turkey has been an outspoken supporter of Baku in the conflict.
In a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu, Akar said Turkey supports Azerbaijan’s “campaign to take back its own lands.” The defense minister also told Shoigu that Armenia needed to end its attacks and “withdraw from the occupied lands.”
Representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Moscow last Friday, where they agreed to a ceasefire after 10 hours of talks. The pause in fighting was set to take effect on Saturday but did not last long, and both sides continue to blame each other for violations.
The ceasefire was meant to lead to more substantive talks to resolve the conflict. The US, France, and Russia co-chair the Minsk Group which was set up in 1992 to foster negotiations over the disputed enclave. In Moscow, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to have the Minsk Group mediate further peace talks.
Turkey has previously rejected calls for a ceasefire from the Minsk Group, accusing the three countries of ignoring the conflict for decades. “Given that the USA, Russia and France have neglected this problem for nearly 30 years, it is unacceptable that they are involved in a search for a ceasefire,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on October 1st.
Akar echoed Erdogan’s statement on Monday. “Azerbaijan will not wait 30 more years for a solution,” he said.
I favor Armenia but they really should vacate their military presence from Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia has to back off and let Putin do its safeguarding.
Unfortunately, no longer possible. Yerevan is taking advice from US since velvet revolution in 2018. Advisors and other infrastructure moved in from neighboring Georgia.
Today, this is geopolitical struggle. Azerbaijan lost control of its border between NK and Armenia, population fled. Meaning today, US can walk into Azeri territory and blackmail it — until another regime change — and access to Caspian and Iranian border!
Russia’s hands are tied. Iran cannot say a word — to avoid being accused of yet another weaponizing of a Shia state.
Turkey is the inly regional actor that can make this romp into the region expensive for US.
Biden is livid — promises regime change in Turkey. As difficult as it is to grasp for many — Turkey is defending Russia , Iranian and Chinese interests here.
This is not as simple as it looks.
Azerbaijan said that they will fight until all occupied lands are reclaimed and that is non-negotiable. Sounds simple to me.
President Putin will not “safeguard” occupied territory. If Armenia wants to fight for what is not theirs, they’ll be on their own.
The article is flawed. First, is there a point in emphasizing what Turkey has PREVIOUSLY rejected. Turkey DID support Moscow agreement and is hoping for both sides to sit down and negotiate directly. Minsk group could not do anything for decades.
About withdrawing. It must be made clear to readers that this is referring to Azeri lands, not necessarily NK. Armenia took from Azerbaijan territory more then TWICE NK size, and essentially erased border with Azerbaijan and annexed BOTH NK and the rest of territory IN FACT, although not in law. Above 700,000 Azeris fled, creating political pressure in Azerbaijan.
It us Yerevan that is deliberately provoking — immediately after Moscow agreement Yerevan called for international recognition of NK — clearly within its current de facto borders. A slap to Russia — and to the delight if Yerevan’s new sponsor — US.
According to Azerbaijan officials, Armenia must withdraw from all occupied territories including NK. Armenians of Azeri citizenship living in NK can stay.