If They Stay on the Opposite Side of the Height, They Have an Agreement: Styopa Safaryan

Political scientist Styopa Safaryan posted on his Facebook page: "Azerbaijani diplomats and officials do not hide the strategic importance of controlling the Karaglukh heights. It is already known that if the Turks remain there, the presence of nearby Armenian villages is, to say the least, in doubt. However, they cunningly do not mention this in international forums and discussions. Instead, they state that they will use those heights to control the Stepanakert-Khojalu-Aghdara (Aghdam and Stepanakert-Martuni) routes.

Moreover, they do not conceal the significance of Aghdam's construction and reconstruction for the importance of the heights. Aliyev knows by heart that in the conditions of an unfinished war, the city's reconstruction will be at risk if it is situated at the edge of a strategic height like Karaglukh, and if his troops are not stationed there. No matter how much Aliyev has confirmed the main plan for Aghdara, insisting that investors participate in its implementation, the issue of the height remains a threat...

On the other hand, the Russian side seems to have a problem with the reconstruction and resettlement of Aghdara, particularly in the Khojalu area, especially if they achieve a similar strategic-military advantage over Azerbaijan... And I believe this is not being voiced. Here lies the explanation for the inexplicable move made by the Russian side—the proposal for a mirror withdrawal of troops, which the Armenian side offered, while the Azerbaijani side moved up to the opposite side of Karaglukh, fighting for the entire height. If it turned out that the Russian side allowed the Azerbaijani side to remain firmly on the opposite side of Karaglukh, it means that the Russian and Azerbaijani sides have reached a certain consensus regarding Aghdam/Aghdara, and they wish to execute it with a specific staging. At Russia's request, the village is 'returned', the height itself is not conceded to Azerbaijan, the Russian side announces that Azerbaijani forces withdrew from the village (applause from the Armenian side), while the Azerbaijani side denies this, stating they did not withdraw from the heights (applause from the Azerbaijani side), everyone wins except the Armenian side...

We are close to understanding whether we are dealing with this situation. I repeat: if they remain on the opposite side of the height, they have an agreement..."