Azerbaijan's Karabakh victory redefined Eurasian geopolitics Expert opinions

On November 8, the Azerbaijani people celebrate Victory Day, marking the fourth anniversary of the triumph in Shusha—a decisive moment that determined the outcome of the 44-day war in 2020. This victory not only ended nearly 30 years of occupation but also created new opportunities for peace and cooperation in the region, shaping a new era in the South Caucasus.

In an interview with Caliber.Az, Russian publicist and political analyst Kirill Sitnikov emphasized that Azerbaijan’s victory holds significance far beyond the South Caucasus, with implications for regional stability and development.

"There is a common view that the Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped modern geopolitics. However, in my opinion, it was Azerbaijan’s victory and the restoration of its territorial integrity that influenced this process," said Kirill Sitnikov. "The victory of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces carries far more symbolic and defining significance for all of Eurasia, whereas the war in Ukraine has merely brought a set of negative trends that have adversely affected the development of our regions.

It's no coincidence that Azerbaijan's military victory is studied in military academies worldwide. Moreover, November 8, 2020, impacted the entire framework of global geopolitics, which can no longer remain the same.

Most importantly, in my view, Azerbaijan has proven that it is capable of restructuring the regional reality on its own, without regard to the opinions of global power centres, and no one can obstruct it. As a result, the old axis of evil was dismantled, and now Azerbaijan is wisely and steadily building a new order in the region — one free of wars and conflicts," Sitnikov emphasized.

According to Talgat Kaliev, a Doctor of Political Science and member of Kazakhstan’s National Kurultai under the President, November 8 represents a victory not only for the Azerbaijani people but for the entire Turkic world.

“For decades, all fraternal Turkic nations empathized deeply with the tragedy that befell the Azerbaijani people. They waited and hoped that one day Azerbaijan would restore its territorial integrity. This victory, therefore, is an inspiring example for the entire Turkic world, showcasing the determination, perseverance, and unity of the Azerbaijani people in achieving their goals.

"The Kazakh people unequivocally and unanimously supported Azerbaijan in its struggle in 2020. This was likely the first war we witnessed live online — everyone was watching, empathizing, and commenting on the Azerbaijani army’s gradual progress. Naturally, when our brotherly nation makes such achievements, it fills us with pride. The importance of this victory has undoubtedly shaped the future — we’re now talking about creating united Turkic contingents within the borders of our states. For instance, Kazakh soldiers might serve in Azerbaijan or Türkiye, while Azerbaijani soldiers might be stationed here in Kazakhstan. The aim is to create elite, mixed military units that ensure the security of the entire Turkic sphere," Kaliev concluded.