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Armenia and Azerbaijan finally at peace? Is it true?

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Russia has surprisingly and very rapidly has become a peacemaker in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. The old wisdom says that a poor peace is better than defeat. As a matter of urgency, given the difficult humanitarian situation in Karabakh, Russia intervened and secured the signing of a ceasefire agreement by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on 9 November and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the region, writes Moscow correspondent Alexi Ivanov. 

Protests immediately started in Armenia, and the Parliament building was seized. Crowds dissatisfied with the outcome of the war, which lasted since 27 September and took the toll of more than 2 thousand Armenian soldiers, brought destruction and disaster to Artsakh, now demand the resignation of Prime Minister Pashinyan, who is accused of treason.

Almost 30 years of conflict have brought neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan peace. These years have only fueled interethnic hostility, which has reached unprecedented proportions.

Turkey has become an active player in this regional conflict, which considers Azerbaijanis its closest relatives, although the majority of the population there of the Shia Islam taking into account the Iranian roots of the Azerbaijani population.

Turkey has recently become more active at the international and regional level, entering into a serious confrontation with Europe, especially France, against the actions to curb Muslim extremism.

However, the South Caucasus remains traditionally in Russia's zone of influence, as these are territories where Moscow has dominated for centuries.

Putin, amid the pandemic and confusion in Europe, very quickly took advantage of the situation with his neighbors and turned the war into a civilized framework.

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The truce was not welcomed by all parties. The Armenians should return to Azerbaijan the territories captured in the early 90's, not all of them, but the losses will be significant.

Armenians are leaving the areas that should come under the control of Azerbaijan in large numbers. They take out property and burn their homes. None of the Armenians want to remain under the rule of the Azerbaijani authorities, because they do not believe in their own security. Many years of hostility have generated distrust and hatred. Not the best example is Turkey, where the term "Armenian" is considered an insult, alas. Although Turkey has been knocking on the door of the EU for many years and claimed the status of a civilized European power.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev promises protection to the Armenians of Karabakh, and he also promises to protect numerous Armenian churches and monasteries in this ancient territory, including the great Holy monastery of Dadivank, which is a place of pilgrimage. Currently it is protected by Russian peacekeepers.

Russian peacekeepers are already in Karabakh. There will be 2 thousand of them and they must ensure compliance with the truce and the cessation of hostilities.

In the meantime, huge columns of refugees are moving to Armenia, who are hopefully are expected to reach their historical homeland without problems.

It is too early to talk about a new turn in the Karabakh conflict. Prime Minister Pashinyan has already stated that he is responsible for Armenia's defeat in Artsakh. But this is unlikely to be the final point. Armenia is protesting, protesting against Pashinyan, against the shameful capitulation, although everyone understands that the conflict in Karabakh has to be resolved.

Many Azerbaijanis, there are thousands of them, dream of returning to their homes in Karabakh and nearby regions, previously controlled by Armenian forces. This opinion can hardly be ignored. People have lived there for centuries - Armenians and Azerbaijanis-and it is very difficult to find the perfect solution to this tragedy.

It is obvious that it will take many more years until old wounds, resentments and injustices are forgotten. But peace must come to this land, and the bloodshed must be stopped.

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