Azerbaijan's Rhetoric Has Changed: Papikyan

The Minister of Defense, Suren Papikyan, does not comment on Aliyev's statements. In a conversation with reporters, Papikyan noted that he has a habit of not reacting to statements he has not read or heard. He added that he would familiarize himself with Ilham Aliyev's words and respond if necessary.

The minister also emphasized that since August 8, Azerbaijan's rhetoric has noticeably softened, which is also reflected in the situation at the border. According to him, when peace is discussed, it is not fiction but a reality.

Papikyan mentioned that he has no answer to the question of why the President of Azerbaijan has refused to visit Armenia: “Do you want me to answer on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan? I do not have that answer,” he said.

It is worth noting that Aliyev stated today: “There is no Lake Sevan; there is Goycha Lake. The return of Azerbaijani citizens to their historical lands – present-day Armenia – should not scare the Armenians.”