“Controversy Surrounds Withdrawal of Russian Peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh: What Does it Mean for Europe and Moscow?”
The withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the Lachin corridor of Nagorno-Karabakh is not the same as Russia’s complete withdrawal from the global political game, according to Russian political scientist Sergey Markedonov. The unification of the Russian peacekeepers holds great significance for Europe, especially Moscow. Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that the withdrawal process has begun and will be carried out in phases, causing controversy. In November 2020, Russian peacekeeping forces entered Nagorno-Karabakh, putting an end to the 44-day war and establishing a new status quo in Artsakh. The withdrawal marks a shift in the security situation in the Transcaucasus region and raises questions about Moscow’s position.
The conditions and their impact on the military-political situation of a country are influenced by specific historical circumstances, rather than the agreement of those in power. Azerbaijan’s military victory in November 2020 greatly damaged the image of the unrecognized state of Karabakh, leaving Stepanakert and Yerevan situated between them. Russia’s focus at the time was on resolving security issues in the Caucasian region. However, Azerbaijan’s gradual push of “red lines” and Yerevan’s lack of support for the “unification” between Armenia and Karabakh changed Moscow’s situation. The shortest yet third war in September 2023 determined a new regional geopolitical landscape, questioning Russia’s presence in the region and highlighting its dependence on the interests of Baku, Ankara, and Armenia’s efforts to establish its own external political system.
The fate of Nagorno-Karabakh and its impact on Russia’s capital is a matter of concern, as demonstrated by the 2022 incident, which asserted that issues that were once in Karabakh are now being resolved in Yerevan without Russian interference, as noted by the analyst.
