Part 9/14:
Azerbaijan: Tensions escalated after Russian security forces conducted raids targeting ethnic Azerbaijanis in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region, leading to deaths and accusations of ethnic violence. Diplomatic relations soured quickly, with Azerbaijan canceling official visits and expelling Russian cultural programs, signaling a rupture in Russia’s regional standing.
Armenia: Growing closer to the West, Armenia participated in joint military exercises with the United States and announced plans for European Union accession. It has also begun reclaiming borders previously under Russian control, signaling a strategic pivot away from Moscow’s influence.