The Karabakh conflict is an important issue affecting the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. Although Karabakh was historically recognised as a region belonging to Azerbaijan, the Armenian-backed Karabakh Republic was established in 1991 following violent conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 1994, Karabakh came under the control of Armenia, leading to a ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The failure to fully resolve the Karabakh conflict and the issue of the return of Karabakh to Azerbaijan increased the tension between the two countries. The war in 2020 significantly changed the balance in the region.Azerbaycan, Azerbaijan achieved a great military success against Armenia and recaptured a large part of Karabakh. The Karabakh conflict is a long-standing dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and is often associated with Russia’s influence in the region. Although the Karabakh issue has not been resolved, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have changed over time. Relationships sometimes experience processes of rapprochement and co-operation, and sometimes they experience tense situations.
Karabakh has caused tensions in Azerbaijan-Russia relations due to the violent clashes in the region in 2016. In 2020, the conflicts between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Karabakh region led to the re-ignition of a long-standing dispute, and in 2020 Azerbaijan launched a military operation to regain control of Karabakh. During the 2020 Karabakh War and its aftermath, Russia’s role was quite remarkable, and relations between Azerbaijan and Russia were shaped in line with their interests in the region. As a result of this war, Azerbaijan took control of a large part of Karabakh and the Karabakh issue had a great impact on Azerbaijan-Russia relations. This problem is of great importance both for Azerbaijan’s national security and regional balance.
As of September 2021, the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia contain very important dynamics in the context of the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and subsequent developments. Russia mediated between Azerbaijan and Armenia and secured a ceasefire at the end of the war. Russia has also assumed the role of sending peacekeeping forces to Karabakh and supervising the implementation of the ceasefire. This situation has brought about some changes in the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Azerbaijan wanted to protect its military successes and territorial gains from the war with Russia’s peacekeeping forces in the region, and Baku saw this situation as a kind of balance. Russia has increased its influence in the region and strengthened its diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan through its mediation role for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. Although Azerbaijan has at times felt that Russia has been close to Armenia, Russia’s mediation efforts have helped to maintain dialogue between the two countries. Russia’s diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in its efforts to ensure a ceasefire in times of conflict have aimed to ensure regional stability.
During the Karabakh War, Russia has established military co-operation with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia continues its military cooperation as a member of Russia’s Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), while Azerbaijan has purchased military equipment from Russia. This situation shows that Azerbaijan has to balance independence and the protection of its national interests. The Karabakh conflict affects the overall balance in the South Caucasus region and this situation shapes Russia’s policies in the region and its relations with Azerbaijan, taking into account Azerbaijan’s strategic position and energy resources.
The Karabakh conflict is a complex part of the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. The resolution of the conflict and its aftermath affects the dynamics of the relations between the two countries and has a very important place in terms of regional stability and balance. While Azerbaijan is trying to balance its relations with Russia in order to protect its independence and security interests in the Karabakh issue, both countries are very careful in protecting their national interests.
