At this stage, speaking about real peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is self-deception. This opinion was expressed by military and security expert Hrachya Arzumanyan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan remain only under a ceasefire
According to him, what currently exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan is merely a ceasefire regime.
Arzumanyan stressed that genuine peace requires a signed peace treaty officially confirming the end of the war.
In his assessment, as long as no such document exists, discussions about “peace” are little more than an electoral tactic.
The expert argued that while traditional military operations may not currently be taking place, the war itself continues in different forms.
He emphasized that the concept of “hybrid warfare” has become increasingly dominant in the modern world, encompassing not only military actions but also informational, psychological, cognitive, economic, political, and diplomatic pressure.
“In all these spheres, the war continues,” he stated.
Arzumanyan added that Armenia is facing hybrid warfare from all major power centers that participated in what he described as aggression against Armenian statehood during the 2020 war.
Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Israel
Among those actors, the expert named Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Israel.
According to him, Israel has for many years been a strategic partner of Azerbaijan and uses Azerbaijani territory as a platform for operations directed toward Iran, the North Caucasus, and Armenia.
Arzumanyan stressed that Israel consciously chose Azerbaijan as its ally and that this decision gradually evolved into a “logical strategy” for Tel Aviv.
According to the expert, Israel participated on Azerbaijan’s side during the military operations of 2020–2023 through both weapons supplies and direct involvement.
“Israel chose Armenia as an enemy. That was not our choice,” the expert stated, emphasizing that Armenia must recognize this reality and build an appropriate policy accordingly.
Realpolitik matters more than diplomatic rhetoric
According to Arzumanyan, diplomatic relations and official rhetoric should not obscure the realities of actual policy.
He believes that Israel’s strategic approach has not fundamentally changed over recent decades and continues to be based on the same geopolitical calculations.
“Israel has not changed, and until Israel changes, we must accept this reality,” Arzumanyan concluded.
He added that new opportunities for Armenia may emerge only if the regional balance of power changes.