Expert: Risk of Armenia–Azerbaijan Escalation Has Fallen

The risk of a new military escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan has dropped significantly following the initialing of a peace agreement and the signing of a seven-point declaration in Washington, expert Thomas de Waal said in an interview with CIVILNET,  Orda.kz reports.

He called the reduction in tensions the “main achievement” but noted Azerbaijan may now have less incentive to sign a full peace treaty, having “got everything they wanted.”

He also noted Türkiye’s absence from the process, saying Armenia’s priority should be opening its border with Türkiye.

The declaration, signed on August 8 by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the U.S., confirmed the agreed text of a peace and interstate relations treaty, the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Process, plans for secure transit between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan via Armenia, and cooperation on implementing the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” in Armenia.