(LibertySociety.com) – On September 20, a war broke out between the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey and Armenia were both heavily involved in the conflict. On November 13, the US and France also jumped into the fray, but not in the way you might think.
The Conflict
The war broke out between the two factions over the Nagorno-Karabakh area in Azerbaijan. Conflicts in the region have been raging for decades over the land. It has important cultural meaning for both sides.
According to reports, the Azerbaijani launched an offensive in September to try to reclaim an area in the southern part of the region. Turkey sided with Azerbaijan and provided military support. Armenia got involved on behalf of Artsakh, and the sides went to battle. Thousands of people are thought to have lost their lives in the war.
When the skirmish broke out, the United Nations demanded the Artsakh and Azerbaijan stop the armed conflict and try to work out a peace deal.
Russian Peace Negotiations
Russia and Turkey brokered a deal between the two factions. On November 9, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed to support the arrangement and surrender territory. Armenia is also going to remove its military from the area and allow the Russians to take over. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed the deal too.
US and France
Two days after Russia sent its troops to the area to keep the peace, the United States and France traveled to Moscow to talk about the conflict.
The mobilization of Russian troops in the area means the former soviet government is expanding its military footprint. The country is already involved in the Syrian conflict, meddling in Venezuela, annexed Crimea, and now, it’s in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. There’s no doubt Russia’s looming presence is troubling foreign leaders.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denies his country has any ulterior motives, but is he being honest? Time will tell.
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