In a major diplomatic coup by Russia, Azeri and Armenian forces are expected to halt hostilities today after a ceasefire deal was stuck in Moscow. The two warring nations are also expected to exchange poisoners and the bodies of dead.
While the gunfire could still be heard at the time of filing this report, we expect the ceasefire to hold after Russia made it clear that it has an obligation and intent to defend Armenia and ensured Baku to come to a diplomatic settlement.
As per Reuters – after 10 hours of talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who helped mediate between the two sides, said the ceasefire had been agreed on humanitarian grounds. However the specifics of the ceasefire are still to be agreed.
The apparent show of hostility – smiles were missing on faces of Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov. The due also avoided giving any statement to press.
This latest round of fighting was flaring up after Turkey openly supported Azeri position. As per the reports from Armenia – the Azerbaijan forces got both men and material from Turkey. Possible Pakistani regulars fighting alongside Azeri force was also reported.
Three days ago, Russia announced that it meant to keep its obligations under CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) and protect Armenia at all costs. The CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance that was signed in 2002 by seven former Soviet states, including Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It mandates that attack on any one of the nations is to be taken as attack on all of them.
Soon after Moscow’s threat, Baku started buckling to international calls for a ceasefire and agreed for talks hosted by Kremlin. Azerbaijan along with Georgia and Uzbekistan withdrew from CSTO and has since formulated deep relationship with Turkey.
The War has costed both the sides dearly with claims of 4,369 deaths on Azeri side and over 3000 deaths to Armenians since the start of hostilities on September 27.
