Russian expert: Azerbaijan’s anti-terrorist measures - fully legal

Director of the Russian Institute of Political Studies, famous political analyst Sergei Markov has said that the international community understands Azerbaijan’s anti-terrorist measures in Garabagh.

“Ethnic cleansing is out of the question because Azerbaijan is a civilised and developed country,” Markov said in an interview with APA.

The expert noted that although the countries call for a peaceful solution to all issues, the entire international community understands Azerbaijan’s anti-terrorist operation in Garabagh.

“Everyone understands that Garabagh is Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan has the right to the full restoration of the constitutional order throughout Garabagh. Everyone understands well that Armenia is incapable of negotiating. However, several countries, France, the US and their allies, pretend that something can be agreed upon with Armenia. They are doing this for Armenia to move away from Russia and move towards the West,” the political analyst said.

Markov noted that one of the reasons for Azerbaijan to carry out anti-terrorism measures is Armenia’s gross violation of the Sochi agreements.

“Proceeding from this document, Armenia was urged to fully withdraw its armed forces from Garabagh and demilitarise the region. Who is now fighting against the Azerbaijani army in Garabagh? These are the Armenian armed formations that have not yet been withdrawn from the region. Moreover, proceeding from the Sochi agreement, transport corridors in the region, the Zangezur corridor, which is important for Azerbaijan, were also required to be opened. The Armenian side did not fulfill all these agreements. Moreover, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan makes provocative statements. He made provocative statements during the second Garabagh war either. Therefore, everyone understands that Azerbaijan’s activity is legal,” the political analyst noted.

“Now Azerbaijan is striking at air defence systems, communications systems and military headquarters. After the destruction of the Armenian air defence systems, Azerbaijani aircraft will begin to strike Armenian military targets in Garabagh. Then the Azerbaijani army will calmly enter these territories. The world perceives the near future this way. The majority thinks that Azerbaijan will fully control Garabagh within a week. There will be no ethnic cleansing because Azerbaijan is a civilised and developed country. Residents of Garabagh of Armenian nationality will be able to integrate into Azerbaijani society except for those who participated in war crimes, crimes against humanity, including the crimes during the first Garabagh war. I think that all of them fled Garabagh long ago,” the Russian expert added.