Senators Warn Armenia Cannot Face Azerbaijan Alone, Call for U.S. and European to Increase Support

The U.S. Congress recently held a hearing to address the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, focusing on how the United States can help bring peace and stability to the region. The hearing took place before the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, commonly known as the Helsinki Commission. This commission, established over 45 years ago, was designed to monitor security and cooperation in Europe. Lawmakers from both major political parties in the United States were united in their assessment that Armenia cannot handle its current struggles without international support.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been in conflict for many years, primarily over the indigenous Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area that has led to multiple wars and skirmishes between the two countries. During the hearing, it was highlighted that Azerbaijan shows no sign of withdrawing from areas it has occupied in Armenia, even as both sides work toward a peace treaty. Senator Ben Cardin, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern that the peace treaty being discussed between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not balanced. He stressed that the agreement, which has been in negotiations for nearly two years, does not address several critical concerns for Armenia. Senator Cardin, who visited Armenia recently, emphasized that Azerbaijan has been placing additional demands on Armenia to delay the signing of the treaty.

The legislators and analysts present at the hearing agreed that Armenia cannot face these challenges alone. They called on the United States, along with its European allies, to take a more active role in supporting Armenia politically, economically, and diplomatically. There was also a push to encourage Azerbaijan and Turkey to engage in meaningful concessions with Armenia to move forward in peace negotiations.

Joe Wilson, a Republican Co-Chair of the Helsinki Commission, shared that he had recently met with Azerbaijan's president and delivered the message that the U.S. and its allies expect Azerbaijan to work toward a fair resolution. However, some lawmakers pointed out that Azerbaijan and Turkey are seen as crucial allies to the U.S. in the region. While these countries have traditionally been key partners for the United States, tensions have risen, particularly regarding Turkey’s shifting policies under President Erdogan.

Democratic Representative Steve Cohen, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans, reminded the hearing attendees that Turkey has changed significantly in recent years. He suggested that the Turkey of today is not the same country that the United States has cooperated with in the past, particularly when it comes to regional stability.

One of the key outcomes of the hearing was a unanimous agreement that the United States needs to increase its support for Armenia. This support is seen as essential not only to help Armenia manage its current challenges but also to promote long-term peace and stability in the region. A few hours after the hearing, the U.S. government announced that it would be increasing its financial assistance to Armenia from $120 million to $250 million. This aid, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is aimed at strengthening democracy and supporting economic growth in Armenia.

As the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan drags on, it is clear that the United States sees itself playing an essential role in building dialogue and supporting Armenia through its current challenges. However, the path to peace remains uncertain, as Azerbaijan continues to hold firm in its demands, and Turkey's evolving role in the region complicates the situation further.