"Where there is Russia, it is impossible to talk about peace"

In the midst of ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, recent incidents related to cargo transportation have further complicated the peace talks between the two countries, which are being mediated by both the European Alliance and Russia.

Last week Armenia sent trucks with cargo to Karabakh, but the cargo was parked at the entrance to the Lachin corridor. Azerbaijan regarded this action as a challenge to its territorial integrity, while Armenia claimed that it was sending cargo for humanitarian purposes, since the Lachin corridor was closed, which led to the blockade of Karabakh.

With the situation getting worse, on July 30, US Secretary of State Blinken expressed deep concern to Azerbaijani President Aliyev about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, opinions differ in Azerbaijan on how these events will affect the peace talks. Deputy of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Arzu Nagiyev believes that Armenia seeks to extend the signing of the peace treaty. He considers the recent shipment of cargo as a political show, suggesting that Armenia may use it to raise issues of international status and present Armenians in Karabakh as persons facing a humanitarian threat.

Meanwhile, former Ambassador Arif Mammadov, in an interview with Radio Azadlig, claims that there is no real peace process, only an imitation, and that where Russia is involved, achieving peace becomes almost impossible. He suggests that Russia is using the situation to maintain its presence in the region and may not intend to withdraw its troops in the near future.

Mammadov also stresses the need to change the rhetoric and approach on both sides. He believes that the Azerbaijani government should avoid using only threatening language towards the Armenian community in Karabakh and instead offer positive feedback to promote a sense of acceptance and inclusivity.

Ultimately, conflicting positions on issues such as the Lachin Corridor and Russia's actions make it difficult to reach a lasting peace agreement. The Karabakh conflict has been marked by battles and territorial shifts over the years, with significant escalation during the 44-day second Karabakh War in 2020. Currently, Russian peacekeepers are deployed in the region on the basis of a trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia.