Pashinyan and Aliyev Asked in Moscow When They Will Sign a Peace Treaty

Today, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit in Moscow, where they engaged in discussions with other leaders from the region. The CIS, a group of former Soviet nations, met to talk about regional cooperation and to select a new chairman for 2025. Several important statements are expected to be adopted during the summit.

However, one of the most anticipated conversations took place on the sidelines of the summit, when a journalist from the Russian Telegram channel Shot asked Pashinyan and Aliyev about the status of the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two countries have long been at odds over the Nagorno-Karabakh region with Azerbaijan currently occupying the indigenous Armenian Republic of Artsakh after its military operation in 2020 followed by ethnic cleansing in 2023. Peace negotiations have been ongoing for some time with the international community closely watching for any signs of progress.

The journalist first asked President Aliyev when the two nations might reach an agreement. Aliyev, keeping his answer brief, responded, "When everything is agreed upon." When asked if that agreement might come this year, Aliyev shrugged, offering no clear timeline.

The focus then shifted to Prime Minister Pashinyan. When asked for his thoughts on the matter, Pashinyan said that he had already presented his proposal for a peace agreement. He added that the current terms, as they stand, are sufficient for the treaty to be signed immediately.

The journalist pressed further, asking if the peace deal would have Moscow's support and if that was the subject of their discussions during the summit. Both leaders, however, did not provide further details on this point.

While no firm date for a peace treaty has been set, Pashinyan’s remarks suggest that Armenia is ready to move forward, potentially waiting for Azerbaijan's final approval. Aliyev’s noncommittal response leaves the question of timing open, though it seems progress has been made. The role of Russia, as a key player in the region, could also influence how quickly an agreement is reached.