In a recent dialogue with German business leaders, the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, emphasized that the United States and France should recognize the evolving realities shaping the South Caucasus. He suggested that Washington and Paris need to adjust their approaches to align with these new developments, implying that doing so would help steer regional outcomes toward a more stable and constructive path. The president’s comments were reported by Interfax, reflecting his effort to frame the region’s dynamics as a matter of practical coexistence rather than confrontation.
Aliyev also highlighted that Moscow has acknowledged the changing environment in the South Caucasus. By underscoring Russia’s apparent awareness of these shifts, he signaled that all major actors with a stake in the area must revise their strategies to fit the current realities, rather than clinging to outdated assumptions about influence and leverage.
He urged the United States and France to adopt a comparable stance, arguing that otherwise, expectancies and plans in the region could diverge from what those countries intend. In his view, engagement with Azerbaijan should be a central pillar of any Western approach to the South Caucasus, given Baku’s geographic position, political weight, and role in regional diplomacy.
On February 28, Aliyev reiterated that Baku has no intention of initiating conflict with Armenia. He attributed these remarks to the policies of French President Emmanuel Macron, characterizing them as part of a broader, anti-Azerbaijani stance that, in his assessment, relies on demonizing Azerbaijan. The president’s clarification appears intended to reassure international partners that Azerbaijan seeks a peaceful trajectory while contesting narratives he sees as biased or hostile.
Meanwhile, in Yerevan, the Prime Minister spoke of the Munich talks with Aliyev during a closed session with government deputies. The discussion reportedly focused on the ongoing negotiations and the prospects for a durable peace in the region, with participants examining the implications of recent diplomatic moves and the role of external actors in shaping a settlement framework.
Earlier reports noted that Azerbaijan supplied Armenia with an updated version of the peace accord. The revised text signifies ongoing, active negotiations aimed at narrowing differences and advancing a settlement that could reduce tensions and open avenues for broader regional cooperation. Officials on both sides have indicated a willingness to continue dialogue, although substantial issues remain on the agenda for future discussions.