Yerevan, Armenia (AP) – Residents and Politicians Armenia and Azerbaijan They responded with caution on Saturday with cautious hope and skepticism after their leaders signed a US-brokered agreement at the White House aimed at ending decades of hostilities.
President Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan I signed the contract On Friday they were standing among the leaders, shaking hands in front of President Donald Trump.
The agreement does not constitute a formal peace treaty, but it represents an important diplomatic step towards normalizing relations. The two countries are technically at war, and the contract will not resolve long-standing conflicts over disputed areas. Nagorno Karabaf.
However, it reflects the dynamics of the power of the shift following Azerbaijan’s 2023 military victory, which forced the withdrawal of Armenian forces and ethnic Armenians from the region.
Among the provisions of the agreement is the creation of a new transport corridor called the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,” which highlights geopolitical landscape changes amid declining Russian influence in the South Caucasus.
Nagorno Karabakh has been at the heart of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although it was internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, the mountainous region was ruled for decades by Armenian-backed ethnic Armenian forces. Two Wars — the early 1990s and once again in 2020 — have killed tens of thousands and been evacuated. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained control of most of its territory with a rapid attack.
I have hope for peace and weak Moscow
Ali Karimli, head of the Azerbaijan Party’s opposition People’s Front, said the signing of the agreement “undoubtedly brought Azerbaijan and Armenia to a great extent closer to peace” and “had another blow to Russia’s influence on the South Caucasus.”
Arif Hajiri, chairman of Azerbaijan’s opposition party Mousavat, said he believes “the most positive aspect of the initials in Washington is Russia’s absence from the process.”
He said the persistent stability in the region depends on the continued decline in Russian power. Russia’s Ukrainian War. ”
Hajiri also warned of Armenia’s economic dependence on Russia and lingering challenges, including the roughly 2 million Azerbaijan living in Russia.
“Russia will continue to use these factors as levers of pressure,” he said.
Hopes on the streets of the capital of Azerbaijan
“We have been waiting for this agreement to be signed for a long time,” Baku resident Ganduz Aliyev told The Associated Press. “We didn’t trust our neighbor, Armenia. That’s why we needed a strong state to act as guarantors. Russia couldn’t do that, but the US was successful.”
“The US is fully responsible for security. This brings peace and stability,” said another Ali Mamadoff. “The border will soon open and normal relations with Armenia will be established.”
Abulfat Jafarov, located in Baku, expressed his gratitude to all three leaders involved.
“Peace is always good,” he said. “We welcome every step taken towards progress.”
A more divided view of the Armenian capital
Some people in Yerevan didn’t understand the meaning of the contract.
“I feel uncertain because a lot of things need clarification. There are aspects that are unclear. Armenian Prime Minister has issued several statements from the US, but details are needed,” Edvard Avoyan said.
However, entrepreneur Hrach Ghasumyan was able to see the economic benefits.
“It would be beneficial for the country if a gas and oil pipeline passes through the Armenia and Railway routes,” he said. “Until now, all major routes have passed through Georgia, and Armenia has been on the sidelines and economically restricted.”
Others were skeptical of the achievement of peace and expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the agreement.
“That declaration is unlikely to bring true peace to the region and we are well aware of Azerbaijan’s stance,” said Rusanna Ghazarian. “This initial agreement offers us nothing. The concessions are completely one-sided.”
