Azernews.Az

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s statement denying a link between settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict and efforts aiming to mend strained Turkey-Armenia relations, made during his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Moscow, has upset Azerbaijani political commentators.
Analyst Fikrat Sadykhov believes Putin’s statement is tantamount to "Azerbaijan’s defeat". According to him, in 2009 there was hope that Russia will exert pressure on Armenia over Garabagh conflict settlement for the sake of acquiring Azerbaijani gas. However, Putin’s statement indicates that this is not the case, and it has now become clear that Azerbaijan has failed "to sweeten Russia with the gas factor."
"I no longer believe the Garabagh conflict will be resolved in peace," said Sadykhov.
Zardusht Alizada, another Azerbaijani analyst, said Russia, the U.S. and the European Union have all stated they deem Garabagh settlement and Turkey-Armenia relations as separate issues. "This being said, a question arises how long Turkey will be able to withstand pressure," Alizada said, suggesting that Ankara will face challenges in keeping the promises it made to Azerbaijan, its ally, on Garabagh settlement.
Turkey and Armenia face decades of enmity. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and past genocide claims. On October 10, the two governments signed two protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders, in a bid to normalize their strained relations. Despite pressure from the West, Turkish officials have repeatedly made clear that Ankara could mend ties with Yerevan and open the border only after the Garabagh conflict has been resolved.*