Baku—In a comprehensive interview with Russia's "Perviy Kanal" on October 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed firm positions on the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and outlined conditions for potential peace negotiations with Armenia.

According to Trend News Agency, President Aliyev emphasized the necessity for Armenia to comply with four UN Security Council resolutions from 1993, which demand an immediate, unconditional, and complete withdrawal from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani leader accused Armenia of ignoring these resolutions and attempting to freeze the conflict to avoid negotiations. “As soon as the resolutions of the UN Security Council are implemented by Armenia, as soon as Armenia agrees to the withdrawal of its troops, I am sure that both sides can come to an agreement that will establish peace in the Caucasus shortly,” Aliyev stated.

The interview revealed the intense nature of the ongoing conflict, with President Aliyev reporting significant civilian casualties and destruction on the Azerbaijani side due to Armenian shelling. He detailed the Azerbaijani counteroffensive, which began on September 27, as a response to initial attacks and has resulted in the liberation of parts of the occupied territories.

President Aliyev also addressed the role of Turkey in the conflict, clarifying that while Turkey is not involved militarily, its participation in a political and post-conflict settlement would be welcomed. He dismissed allegations of Turkish military involvement and mercenary usage by Azerbaijan as baseless.

Further, the president criticized attempts by Armenia to internationalize the conflict and called for a regional approach to peace, suggesting that Turkey and Russia could play significant roles in facilitating a lasting resolution. He expressed openness to revising the composition of mediators involved in the peace process, reflecting on the changed geopolitical realities since the establishment of the Minsk Group in 1992.

President Aliyev’s remarks also touched on the future of the ethnic Armenian population in Karabakh, asserting their rights as Azerbaijani citizens and envisioning their peaceful coexistence with the Azerbaijani population post-conflict.