“What are you suggesting—that we should remain enemies with Azerbaijan forever?” This is the constant refrain of government propagandists and supporters whenever criticism is raised against the spineless, unprincipled foreign policy of Armenia’s current rulers.
Recently, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov pointed to the latest changes in Armenia’s position: Armenia has agreed to dissolve the Minsk Group without signing a “peace agreement” and to abandon its claims against Azerbaijan in international courts. Bayramov also noted that Azerbaijan was once concerned about Armenia’s rearmament—but that concern no longer exists. Pashinyan’s announcement that defense spending will not increase next year has clearly helped “eliminate” those concerns.
These are only small examples of the “jelly-like” foreign policy Armenia has pursued in recent months. Looking at the broader “evolution” of Armenia’s positions from 2020 to 2025, one gets an “impressive” picture of constant contradictions and reversals.
Does pointing out these sharp shifts mean I am against reconciliation with our neighbors? Not at all. But it would be preferable if Pashinyan honestly acknowledged these changes: “For example, in September 2023, I believed the population of Karabakh was not in danger, but later it turned out that they were.” Instead, every failure and every concession is repackaged as an unprecedented victory. (And, unfortunately, for a significant part of the public, these “tricks” still work.)
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Furthermore, reconciliation requires at least minimal goodwill from the other side. Yet Aliyev’s aggressive, belligerent rhetoric remains unchanged, the destruction of Armenian churches and monuments in Artsakh continues, our compatriots languish in Baku prisons under torture, and the central theme of Azerbaijani official propaganda is still Armenophobia.
Under these circumstances, reconciliation is not possible—for now.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
