Talks about ‘Western Azerbaijan’ are not even up for discussion – Alexander Tsinker

 
Speaking with Alpha News, Director of the Institute of Eastern Europe and the CIS in Israel Alexander Tsinker commented on Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev’s new demand to settle Armenia with Azerbaijanis.

“It is time to strongly respond to Azerbaijan, to stop Baku’s fantasies. Talking about Western Azerbaijan is not even up for discussion. Aliyev is using this to put pressure on Armenia. He understands that there can be no talk of any return of Azerbaijanis to the territory of Armenia. Baku will have new demands every time, given that Aliyev considers himself stronger and that the military power of Azerbaijan is currently greater than that of Armenia. He can scare Armenia with some armed operations on the border. He will try to bite off a little bit here, a little bit there.

Therefore, today, a lot will depend on the attitude of the Armenian government. It must protect itself in case the President of Azerbaijan thinks that he can start military actions and thus achieve his goals. Under the political and military noise that is happening in the world today, including the change of power in America, events in the Greater Middle East, and the Russia-Ukraine war, Aliyev may try to do something on the border with Armenia. And you need to understand who could stand up for Armenia’s defense if it comes to that,” Tsinker said.

Armenia must develop immunity and think about a tough response, the expert noted.

“Aliyev’s latest idea is a win-win, because on the one hand, it is an obstacle that does not allow concluding a peace deal, which Armenia is ready to conclude, and on the other hand, if something comes out of this, then in this situation, Azerbaijan receives some benefits. Therefore, Armenia must develop some immunity to such attempts and think about a tough response to them,” Tsinker concluded.

During the interview, the expert also commented on the situation in Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and the latest statements by the Turkish president.