By LILIT MKHITARYAN
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Residents and politicians in Armenia and Azerbaijan responded Saturday with cautious hope — and skepticism in some instances — after their leaders signed a U.S.-brokered settlement on the White Home aimed toward ending many years of hostilities.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the settlement on Friday within the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who stood between the leaders as they shook arms — a gesture Trump strengthened by clasping their arms collectively.
Whereas the settlement doesn’t represent a proper peace treaty, it represents a big diplomatic step towards normalization of relations. The 2 international locations stay technically at battle, and the deal doesn’t resolve the longstanding dispute over the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It does, nevertheless, replicate the shifting energy dynamics following Azerbaijan’s 2023 army victory, which compelled the withdrawal of Armenian forces and ethnic Armenians from the area.
Among the many settlement’s provisions is the creation of a brand new transit hall, dubbed the “Trump Route for Worldwide Peace and Prosperity,” highlighting a altering geopolitical panorama amid declining Russian affect within the South Caucasus.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been on the coronary heart of the Armenia-Azerbaijan battle for the reason that Soviet Union’s collapse. Though internationally acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan, the mountainous area was managed for many years by ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia. Two wars — within the early Nineties and once more in 2020 — left tens of hundreds useless and displaced. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained management of a lot of the territory in a swift offensive.
Longing for peace and a weaker Moscow
Ali Karimli, head of the opposition Individuals’s Entrance of Azerbaijan Social gathering, wrote on Fb that the signing of the settlement “has undoubtedly introduced Azerbaijan and Armenia considerably nearer to peace,” and famous that it delivered “one other blow … to Russia’s affect within the South Caucasus,” whereas deepening ties with the U.S.
Arif Hajili, chairman of Azerbaijani opposition social gathering Musavat, stated he believed that “probably the most constructive facet of the initialing in Washington was the absence of Russia from the method.”
He stated lasting stability within the area hinges on the continuous dwindling of Russian energy, which “will depend on the result of the Russian‑Ukrainian battle.”
Hajili additionally warned of lingering challenges, together with Armenia’s financial dependence on Russia and a few 2 million Azerbaijanis residing in Russia.
“Russia will proceed to make use of these components as levers of strain,” he stated.
Hope on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital
“We’ve got been ready for a very long time for this settlement to be signed,” a resident of Baku, Gunduz Aliyev, informed The Related Press. “We didn’t belief our neighbor, Armenia. That’s why a powerful state was wanted to behave as a guarantor. Russia couldn’t do it, however america succeeded.”
“The U.S. is taking full duty for safety. This may convey peace and stability,” stated one other, Ali Mammadov. “Borders will open quickly, and regular relations with Armenia will likely be established.”
Abulfat Jafarov, additionally in Baku, expressed gratitude to all three leaders concerned.
“Peace is all the time a very good factor,” he stated. “We welcome each step taken in the direction of progress.”
Extra divided views within the Armenian capital
Some individuals in Yerevan have been not sure of the which means of the settlement.
“I really feel unsure as a result of a lot nonetheless wants clarification. There are unclear elements, and though the prime minister of Armenia made some statements from the U.S., extra particulars are wanted,” Edvard Avoyan stated.
However entrepreneur Hrach Ghasumyan might see financial advantages.
“If gasoline and oil pipelines go by way of Armenia and railway routes are opened, it could be helpful for the nation,” he stated. “Till now, all main routes have handed by way of Georgia, leaving Armenia sidelined and economically restricted.”
Others have been skeptical that peace might be achieved, and expressed discontent with the phrases of the settlement.
“That declaration is unlikely to convey actual peace to the area, and we’re nicely conscious of Azerbaijan’s stance,” Ruzanna Ghazaryan stated. “This preliminary settlement presents us nothing; the concessions are solely one-sided.”
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