Russia Sends Peacekeepers to Preside Over Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Resolution

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and their disputed territories. Source.

Armenia and Azerbaijan are two former Soviet Union republics that are located in the Caucasus region. There is a long history of conflict between the two countries concerning issues such as religion, politics, and ethnicity. However, the latest conflict surrounds the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as a part of Azerbaijan, however, it is controlled by ethnic Armenians who have the support of the Armenian government. There has been war over the region before, which led to a ceasefire in 1194, but recent flares have brought about more bouts of violence. But, after six long weeks of fighting, where thousands of people lost their lives and more were displaced, Russia has helped to broker a peace deal between the two countries.

Russia has had a long history with both Armenia and Azerbaijan that stretches back to 1823 when Russian rule over the area first began. With the dissolution of the Russian Empire in 1918, fighting over territory lines was reignited between the newly independent regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, three years later with the rise of the U.S.S.R, the two countries were once again incorporated into Russian rule. Although initially Nagorno-Karabakh was granted to the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Joseph Stalin reversed that decision in 1923 and placed the region under the control of Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic - despite the fact that the population was primarily ethnic Armenians. The U.S.S.R. fell in the 1980s and both countries declared their independence and tensions escalated into full-fledged war. Although Russia no longer controlled the regions, it maintained good relationships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan as it worked to help broker peace. Today Azerbaijan is supported by Turkey and Armenia is backed by Russia, although Russia and Azerbaijan are still on good terms.

The deal that ended this 6-week long battle was signed by Russian President Vladmir Putin, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The deal states that Nagorno-Karabakh would remain under Azerbaijiani control and Armenia would withdraw troops there and several surrounding regions. Additionally, President Putin announced that there would be an exchange of all prisoners of war. Russian peacekeepers have arrived in the region and continue to patrol for at least 5 weeks. Thousands of Armenians are fleeing the area and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Those who are fleeing are burning their homes before leaving and power lines and buildings in the towns have been burned or knocked down. As Azerbaijanis rejoice and Armenians mourn, this agreement is clearly being viewed as a victory for Azerbaijan and a painful loss for Armenia.