By LILIT MKHITARYAN
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Residents and politicians in Armenia and Azerbaijan responded Saturday with cautious hope — and skepticism in some circumstances — after their leaders signed a U.S.-brokered settlement on the White Home geared toward ending a long time of hostilities.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed the agreement on Friday within the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who stood between the leaders as they shook palms — a gesture Trump strengthened by clasping their palms collectively.
Whereas the settlement doesn’t represent a proper peace treaty, it represents a big diplomatic step towards normalization of relations. The 2 nations stay technically at struggle, and the deal doesn’t resolve the longstanding dispute over the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It does, nonetheless, mirror the shifting energy dynamics following Azerbaijan’s 2023 army victory, which pressured 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 because the 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 1000’s useless and displaced. In 2023, Azerbaijan regained management of many of the territory in a swift offensive.
Eager 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 celebration Musavat, mentioned he believed that “probably the most optimistic facet of the initialing in Washington was the absence of Russia from the method.”
He mentioned lasting stability within the area hinges on the continuous dwindling of Russian energy, which “relies on the end result of the Russian‑Ukrainian war.”
Hajili additionally warned of lingering challenges, together with Armenia’s financial dependence on Russia and a few 2 million Azerbaijanis dwelling in Russia.
“Russia will proceed to make use of these components as levers of strain,” he mentioned.
Hope on the streets of Azerbaijan’s capital
“Now we have 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 robust state was wanted to behave as a guarantor. Russia couldn’t do it, however the US succeeded.”
“The U.S. is taking full duty for safety. It will carry peace and stability,” mentioned one other, Ali Mammadov. “Borders will open quickly, and regular relations with Armenia will probably be established.”
Abulfat Jafarov, additionally in Baku, expressed gratitude to all three leaders concerned.
“Peace is all the time an excellent factor,” he mentioned. “We welcome each step taken in direction of progress.”
Extra divided views within the Armenian capital
Some folks in Yerevan had been not sure of the that means of the settlement.
“I really feel unsure as a result of a lot nonetheless wants clarification. There are unclear facets, and though the prime minister of Armenia made some statements from the U.S., extra particulars are wanted,” Edvard Avoyan mentioned.
However entrepreneur Hrach Ghasumyan may see financial advantages.
“If fuel and oil pipelines go by way of Armenia and railway routes are opened, it might be helpful for the nation,” he mentioned. “Till now, all main routes have handed by way of Georgia, leaving Armenia sidelined and economically restricted.”
Others had been skeptical that peace may very well be achieved, and expressed discontent with the phrases of the settlement.
“That declaration is unlikely to carry actual peace to the area, and we’re nicely conscious of Azerbaijan’s stance,” Ruzanna Ghazaryan mentioned. “This preliminary settlement affords us nothing; the concessions are solely one-sided.”
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