Political analyst: Pashinyan leads Karabakh problem to escalation-COMMENT

The last round of negotiations in videoconference format showed that Yerevan does not intend to reach a balanced and moderate level in the discussion and search for appropriate algorithms for a comprehensive solution to this conflict.

Political analyst Tofig Abbasov told Report commenting on the talks between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.

"This is not the first time that Armenian representatives at different levels have shown obvious disregard for what requires a lot of attention. Of course, this is a challenging time. And logically, at the very time when the world slowed down the rhythm of all processes, including political, social, and economical, this round of negotiations suggested it necessary to tune in to the wave of common sense, logic."

According to him, Mnatsakanyan immediately after the videoconference expressed strange imperatives that do not correlate with the demands of the time, which shows Armenia's willingness to continue the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, as well as make an imperturbable appearance as if everything is under control and safe.

"Lavrov's view about the availability of a package of proposals for a step-by-step settlement is constructive. It basically repeats the Madrid principles and the Kazan document and other developments achieved during the previous rounds. Of course, Armenia undermines the current order and leads to escalation, which only multiplies the explosive potential. Caucasus is geographically not so far from the Middle East hotbeds of tension, therefore, it can also lead to explosive processes."

"Armenia indulges third forces that are far away from the Caucasus and the Caspian region, but always are hatching the idea to acquire a tool to implement their interests in this region. Moscow, of course, as the moderator of the OSCE Minsk Group, is interested in reaching the level of acceptable solutions and continuing to move towards a comprehensive document. Of course, Moscow also reminds Yerevan that there are prerequisites for progress and there is no need to start from scratch, fortunately. But the Armenian diplomacy pretends that all this does not exist, and cares about the principle of self-determination, security, etc. Of course, these are empty figures of speech, empty verbal pirouettes that did not bring anything constructive. Pashinyan and his government show that Armenia is leading to an escalation and further military actions."

According to him, "none of the neighboring influential countries want escalation and tension, because any local war can easily turn into a global one." "Nevertheless, Yerevan is going its own way, and this temptation will fall heavy on it. And if hostilities start, no one will stop Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has shown readiness for a diplomatic solution to the problem, which Yerevan sincerely does not want. It intends to preserve the status quo by all means. Therefore, if the situation escalates, Armenia will become a hostage to this situation."