Armenian President Vaagn Khachatryan has announced that Armenia is actively searching for a new military partner and is currently discussing the possibility of receiving military aid from France. He emphasized France’s strong intention to support Armenia and enhance its defense capabilities. Negotiations on this matter are already underway, according to RIA Novosti. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna confirmed that she has instructed Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu to assess the possibilities of providing military assistance to Armenia. However, she did not specify the specific timeline or types of weaponry that could be supplied to Armenia by France.
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that sanctions against Azerbaijan would be counterproductive and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue with Baku. In response to the escalating situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, protests have erupted outside the Russian embassy in Yerevan. Nagorno-Karabakh has announced its cessation of existence starting from January 1, 2024. In 2020, the region witnessed a resumption of hostilities, which were eventually halted through Russian mediation. As a result, Armenia lost control over areas surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, with Russian peacekeepers being deployed to the region. Armenia has yet to fully recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, but Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Karabakh is indeed Azerbaijani territory.
Azerbaijan initiated a military operation in Karabakh on September 19, 2023, and after a day of intense fighting, a ceasefire was reached with the involvement of Russian peacekeepers. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared that the country had restored its territorial integrity. Meanwhile, it has been stated in the State Duma that Putin will not be able to visit Armenia due to the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In light of these developments, Armenia’s pursuit of military assistance from France underscores the urgency and seriousness of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The growing tensions and the involvement of various international actors highlight the need for a comprehensive resolution to ensure stability and peace in the region. The decisions made by key players, including France and Russia, will undoubtedly shape the future dynamics of this complex conflict.
