The lack of results from the Abu Dhabi meeting may indicate new demands put forward by Aliyev. This opinion was expressed by Turkologist Tiran Lokmagezyan.
According to him, the nature of the negotiation process suggests that the Armenian authorities have gradually agreed to all conditions set by Baku. “The same happened with the draft peace agreement. For a long time, the Armenian side refused to accept the last two points, but ultimately conceded to those as well. In fact, there is not a single demand that the current Armenian authorities have not agreed to,” Lokmagezyan noted.
He emphasized that, despite numerous concessions, the agreement, which de facto resembles capitulation more than a peace treaty, has not been signed. According to the expert, Aliyev is deliberately delaying the process. “Signing an agreement would mean the end of negotiations, which he does not want. The completion of the process would mean losing leverage, and currently, Aliyev uses negotiations as a tool for blackmail: as soon as it seems the process is nearing completion, he introduces new conditions,” Lokmagezyan stated.
The expert believes this is exactly what happened in Abu Dhabi. He suggests that this is evidenced by Nikol Pashinyan’s reaction after the meeting—a characteristic gesture of irritation captured on camera. “Even he is fed up with it. He makes all the concessions, but instead of peace, he gets rejection and new demands,” the Turkologist emphasized.
Furthermore, Lokmagezyan noted that the situation is complicated by external political pressure. “Aliyev came to power through inheritance from his father and is not dependent on external players—they have no real leverage over him. Pashinyan, on the other hand, is a product of external interference and is forced to obey those who supported him. This is why pressure is applied to Armenia and not to Azerbaijan. If they wanted, they could influence Aliyev, but they see no need for it since they have ‘their man’ in Yerevan,” he said.
Lokmagezyan added that external players refuse to acknowledge the obvious: Aliyev is not striving to conclude peace. On the contrary, he is doing everything to avoid it. Until this is recognized, the pressure on Armenia will only intensify, and Yerevan will be required to make further concessions in favor of Baku.