The Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, has suggested that fresh clashes could erupt in the South Caucasus if France continues to supply weapons to Armenia. This stance was reported by RIA News. Aliyev argued that military aid from Paris to Yerevan does not foster regional peace and might ignite renewed hostilities. He warned that France would bear responsibility if a new conflict arises in the area.
Earlier, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry stated that French President Emmanuel Macron’s comment about the five-party meeting centered on the Armenia-Azerbaijan-France-Germany-EU format is not genuine and amounts to hypocrisy.
Hikmet Hajiyev, a deputy to President Aliyev, commented on the decision to skip participation in the five-party format, noting that Baku chose not to engage because Turkey did not receive an invitation to join. He affirmed that Azerbaijan is open to tripartite meetings within the EU framework in Brussels.
There was also mention of discussions in the European Parliament about possible sanctions against Azerbaijan in connection with the Karabakh crisis, reflecting ongoing political tensions surrounding the conflict in the region. The overall tone emphasizes regional security concerns, the role of external powers, and the strategic calculus guiding Azerbaijan’s diplomacy in a sensitive neighborhood.
Analysts observe that the South Caucasus remains a flashpoint where military assistance, diplomatic formats, and regional alliances intersect. The debate over France’s arms support to Armenia, alongside broader European and Turkish involvement, underscores competing narratives about peace, stability, and the pathways to conflict resolution in this contested space. Attribution: RIA News and official Azerbaijani statements provide the core account for these developments.