Armenia-Russia Agreement: What You Need to Know
On November 9, 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a ceasefire agreement, ending a six-week-long conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh. The agreement was brokered by Russia, and since then, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been negotiating their future relations with the help of Russia.
Russia has played an essential role in the South Caucasus region for centuries, and its influence is still prominent today. Armenia, a small landlocked country in the South Caucasus, has historically relied on Russia for its security and economy. As a result, it is no surprise that Russia played a key role in the negotiations of the ceasefire agreement and the future relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Armenia-Russia agreement signed on November 10, 2020, is a critical component of the ceasefire agreement. The agreement outlines several key points, including the following:
1. Russian peacekeeping troops will be deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh for at least five years to monitor the ceasefire and ensure stability in the region.
2. Armenia and Azerbaijan will exchange prisoners of war and bodies of those killed in action.
3. Armenia will retain control over the regions of Nagorno-Karabakh and the adjacent Lachin corridor, which connects the region to Armenia.
4. Armenia and Azerbaijan will resume economic and transport links, with Russia’s assistance, including the construction of a new road connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Armenia-Russia agreement has significant implications for the South Caucasus region and beyond. Russia’s peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh is its first since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It signals Russia’s increasing involvement in the region and its commitment to maintaining stability in the area.
Moreover, the agreement could have a significant impact on the economic and political future of Armenia. As a country heavily dependent on Russia for trade and security, Armenia’s ties to Russia will only deepen as a result of this agreement. However, Armenia’s relationship with Azerbaijan has been strained since the 1988 Karabakh movement that led to the conflict, and it remains to be seen how the two countries will navigate their future relations.
In conclusion, the Armenia-Russia agreement signed on November 10, 2020, is a crucial component of the ceasefire agreement that ended the six-week-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The agreement outlines several essential points, including the deployment of Russian peacekeeping troops to Nagorno-Karabakh and the resumption of economic and transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The agreement has significant implications for the South Caucasus region and beyond, and it remains to be seen how it will shape the future relations between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.