RUSSIA'S ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH QUESTIONED AFTER RENEWED TENSIONS

By Edwin -

Renewed tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh have raised fresh questions about Russia's role in the region. Russia has a long history of involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and it played a key role in brokering a ceasefire in 2020. However, Russia's recent actions have led some to question its commitment to peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is located within Azerbaijan but is predominantly populated by Armenians. The conflict has been simmering for decades, and it erupted into full-scale war in 2020.

The 2020 war ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire that gave Azerbaijan control of much of the territory that it had lost in the 1990s. Russia also deployed peacekeepers to the region to monitor the ceasefire.




In recent months, there has been a significant increase in tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, and there have been several reports of clashes between the two sides. In September 2023, the tensions escalated further when Azerbaijan launched a new military offensive against Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh. The offensive resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

Russia's role in the renewed tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh has been questioned by some. Russia is supposed to be the guarantor of the ceasefire, but it has been accused of failing to prevent the recent clashes. Russia has also been accused of providing military support to Azerbaijan. In August 2023, Russia and Azerbaijan held joint military exercises in the region.

There are a number of reasons why Russia may be reluctant to intervene in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Firstly, Russia is already engaged in a war in Ukraine. Russia does not want to open up a new front in the Caucasus region.

Also, Russia does not want to see a decisive victory by either Armenia or Azerbaijan. Russia wants to maintain a balance of power in the region, and it does not want to see either country become too powerful. Finally, Russia is also concerned about the impact of the conflict on its own domestic stability. Russia has a large Armenian population, and it does not want to see a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan erupt into a wider war.


The Russia's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is likely to remain a source of controversy. Russia is a key player in the region, but it is also reluctant to get involved in the conflict. This leaves Armenia and Azerbaijan in a precarious position, and it raises the risk of a wider war. Russia's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has a number of potential implications for the region and the world as it could lead to a wider war. If Russia is unable to maintain a balance of power in the region, it could lead to a new war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This could also draw in other regional powers, such as Iran and Turkey.

Another implication is that it could undermine Russia's credibility as a mediator. Russia is supposed to be the guarantor of the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, but its recent actions have led some to question its commitment to peace and stability in the region.

Finally, Russia's role in the conflict could also have a negative impact on its relations with the West. The West has been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine, and its support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is likely to further strain relations.

Overall, Russia's role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a complex and challenging issue. Russia has a number of competing interests in the region, and it is difficult to predict how it will act in the future.

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