Ilham Aliyev, Launching New Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh, Seeks to Divert Attention from Corruption and Economic Crisis, Says Lapshin

Alexander Lapshin, a blogger with citizenship from Russia and Israel, gave an interview to CivilNet, discussing the goals of the Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the issue of Israel's significant arms sales to Azerbaijan.

As Lapshin has previously noted multiple times, in his opinion, Aliyev demonstrates to his people that he is a great pharaoh liberating lands. By initiating new attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is not pursuing the goal of capturing the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region, but rather aims to seize certain frontline territories. “Thus, he is trying to divert his people's attention from the corruption and economic crisis prevailing in the country,” Lapshin emphasized.

Referring to Turkey's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the blogger stated that this factor has changed the initial situation, improving Armenia's position and perspective in front of several countries. “As we know, Azerbaijan receives complete support from Turkey, both in terms of weapons and soldiers. This has changed the situation. The conflicts between the two former Soviet countries are not receiving much attention from various countries, but when Turkey showed up there, everyone understood that they did not want Turkey's strengthening in the South Caucasus. This does not serve the interests of Russia, Israel, Europe, or Iran. Considering the ideology of pan-Turkism promoted by Turkey's leadership, it is unappealing to all those countries whose territory was once part of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, it appears that Armenia's victory is beneficial to all these great powers,” Lapshin stressed.

He also spoke regarding Israel's arms supply to Baku, noting that the cooperation with Baku is financially advantageous for Israel. “Israel is not interested in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The contracts signed with Azerbaijan in the last two years amount to $5 billion. However, Israel is not the only arms supplier for Azerbaijan. Russia, Belarus, and Turkey are the main suppliers to Baku,” Lapshin stated, emphasizing that the primary arms suppliers to Baku are allies of Armenia within the CSTO and CIS frameworks.

According to Lapshin, components of the Belarusian Polonez systems are still being supplied to Baku via Silk Way Airlines.