President Aliyev: 2025 marks historic shift in Azerbaijan–US relations

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has described 2025 as a historic year for Azerbaijan–US relations, citing the political end of the Armenia–Azerbaijan war and a major shift in Washington’s approach towards Baku.

“In the context of Azerbaijan-US relations, 2025 can also be considered a historic year,” President Ilham Aliyev said during an interview with local television channels on January 5, Caliber.Az reports, citing state media.

The head of state recalled that for many years bilateral relations had been constrained by Section 907 of the US Freedom Support Act, which was adopted under pressure from anti-Azerbaijani forces and the Armenian lobby in the United States.

Noting that the restriction has now been removed, President Aliyev said there were two key reasons behind this development. He stated: “There are, of course, two main reasons for this: first, the official end of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, and second, the presence of the Trump administration in power in the United States. This administration includes members who are very pragmatic and professional, and they know very well what America's national interests are, with the President in charge.”

President Ilham Aliyev also highlighted the symbolic importance of President Donald Trump signing the waiver of Section 907 during a White House ceremony, which he personally attended.

“We worked for many years to have this Section 907 repealed. However, it was a very difficult process, and only after the events of September 11, 2001, did the U.S. President waive the amendment with his signature, and this continued until 2024,” President Ilham Aliyev said.

At the same time, the head of state sharply criticised the policies of the previous US administration, noting that the waiver was halted after the end of the US mission in Afghanistan.

Emphasizing that the Biden administration halted the waiver of the section after the U.S. mission in Afghanistan ended, President Ilham Aliyev stated: “In other words, Azerbaijan was no longer needed once the Afghanistan mission was over, and thus the amendment was reinstated. Of course, this had no impact on our economic development and could not have had any. However, it once again demonstrates how ungrateful and ungracious the Biden-Blinken administration was.”

President Aliyev further stressed that former US President Joe Biden had played a direct role in the adoption of Section 907.

“Joe Biden was very active in the adoption of Section 907. This fact alone is sufficient for everyone to understand why our relations with both the Obama-Biden and Biden-Blinken administrations were not at the desired level,” he said.

“Relations with the Obama-Biden administration were quite distant, while the Biden-Blinken administration had effectively plunged our relations into a crisis,” the head of state added.

According to President Aliyev, Azerbaijan–US relations have entered a new phase following the return of the Trump administration.

“With the Trump administration coming to power, the situation has completely changed. Azerbaijan-US relations have now risen to a new level, and we expect Congress to lift this unjust amendment, a relic of the past that is completely absurd today,” he said.

The President also pointed out that the original justification for Section 907 no longer exists, as regional connectivity has been restored.

Pointing out that goods are currently flowing from various locations to Armenia via Azerbaijani territory, roads have been opened, and even Azerbaijani petroleum products are being exported to Armenia, the head of state said: “If the formal reason for Section 907 was a blockade, that no longer exists today. Therefore, of course, we expect the Trump administration to use its capabilities to convince members of Congress, especially those from the Republican Party, that this amendment must be fully lifted – and we have sufficient grounds for such hope.”

President Ilham Aliyev also reflected on the broader historical significance of the past year, stressing that the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict has ended from a political perspective.

“Last year can indeed be considered a historic one, as 2025 saw the end of the Azerbaijan-Armenia war from a political perspective, and we have been living in conditions of peace for several months now,” he said.

“Living in conditions of peace—what does that mean? We are learning it,” the head of state added, underlining that Azerbaijan’s military victory had received international political recognition, including at the highest global level.

“This will, of course, remain one of the most memorable events in our history of independence. From this point of view, last year can be considered a very successful and historic year for our country and our people, and I am confident that from now on, the people of Azerbaijan will live in conditions of peace,” President Ilham Aliyev noted.

At the same time, the President stressed that global developments require countries to prioritise security and defence.

“The developments unfolding in the world are going in such a direction that each country should, first of all, strengthen its military potential and security,” he said.

Recalling his proposal at the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala to hold joint military exercises among member states, President Aliyev emphasised both their symbolic and practical importance.

“I do believe that this is also necessary. We conduct military exercises in a bilateral format with member countries – of course, most often with Türkiye, but also with other countries. However, there can be a great symbolic meaning in joint military exercises. At the same time, there is a need for this from a practical point of view,” he stated.

Summing up his assessment of the current international environment, President Ilham Aliyev made a stark observation about global politics.

“There is no such thing as international law in today's world. Everyone should forget about that. There is strength, there is cooperation, there is alliance, there is mutual support,” he stressed.

By Vugar Khalilov