Analyst: Aliyev's 'peace gesture' as new form of pressure

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statement that Azerbaijan has removed all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia is not a sign of genuine peacebuilding. but a tactical move aimed at improving Baku’s image internationally, Armenian political analyst Suren Surenyants claims.

At a press conference with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym Jomart-Tokayev in Astana on Tuesday, Aliyev again used the term “Zangezur Corridor” to refer to the Trump Route through Armenian territory. Surenyants states the use of the term “corridor” underscores Azerbaijan’s continued effort to secure an extraterritorial land link with Nakhichevan via Armenia.

“Baku’s step is not an institutional manifestation of peace but a political tactic designed to create a favorable image in the eyes of the international community,” Surenyants wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.

While lifting the transit ban could have a positive impact on regional connectivity, the analyst states it does not change the fundamental political context. “Until there are clear agreements on border control, customs procedures and security guarantees, talk of peace is premature,” he added.

Surenyants criticized what he described as the Armenian government’s muted or overly optimistic reaction to Aliyev’s remarks, warning that such responses risk legitimizing the “corridor agenda” and undermining Armenia’s sovereignty.

“Baku’s move is not driven by the logic of peace,” he said. “It is aimed at advancing its own agenda through the involvement of the international community.”