Analyst accuses Aliyev of 'political blackmail'

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev does not plan to attend the European Political Community summit in Yerevan in May 2026, Caliber.az reported. The outlet cited sources saying a high-level visit without a signed peace treaty could “create a false impression of a completed process”.

Political analyst Suren Surenyants said Caliber.az reflects the Azerbaijani leadership’s positions. “The message is clear: Azerbaijan does not consider peace achieved and expects [Armenian Prime Minister Nikol] Pashinyan to take further steps toward signing a treaty,” he wrote on Telegam on Friday.

Surenyants described the statement as “political blackmail” aimed at forcing Yerevan to accept Baku’s terms while shifting potential blame for any breakdown in talks onto Armenia. He suggested Aliyev allowed a temporary lull to let Pashinyan hold parliamentary elections without external tensions, but warned that Baku would likely renew pressure afterward to secure its desired commitments.