BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 8. Today’s speech by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the CIS summit in Moscow was both predictable and disappointingly hollow. Rather than presenting bold steps to advance peace in the South Caucasus, Pashinyan dusted off the same tired talking points, once again referencing the Alma-Ata Declaration, border delimitation, and his so-called "Crossroads of Peace" concept. Yet, behind every statement lay one glaring truth: an absence of real action and a clear attempt to stall the dialogue while hiding behind diplomatic formalities.
Pashinyan’s reiteration of Armenia's recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and his claim of having no designs on Azerbaijani land came across as nothing more than lip service. This has all been said before, and it's led to nothing. The reality is simple: empty words won't bridge the chasm between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Even more telling is Pashinyan’s approach to the peace treaty. He claims that 80% of the document is agreed upon but suggests signing only those parts and leaving the rest for later. This is nothing but a stalling tactic, a way to kick the can down the road. If both sides are supposedly close to a final agreement, why not push for the full deal now? It’s obvious: Pashinyan isn’t serious about peace. He’s buying time, delaying the inevitable.
On the issue of transportation links, Pashinyan was just as vague, offering so-called "concrete solutions" without actually explaining any real details. It’s clear he’s more interested in maintaining his grip on the situation than in genuinely facilitating regional cooperation. He’s done this before - making grand promises of access to transport corridors, only to muddy the waters with conditions that are either left unresolved or designed to be unacceptable.
Today’s speech was yet another reminder of the glaring gap between Pashinyan’s lofty rhetoric and the harsh reality. He’s not working toward peace - he’s simply maintaining the illusion of stability while avoiding any real progress.
At a time when decisive action is needed, Pashinyan has once again chosen the path of evasion. Instead of moving toward a peace agreement or addressing crucial security and transportation issues, he continues to play diplomatic games. But the truth is clear: Armenia and Azerbaijan won’t find peace through empty words and endless delays. Pashinyan’s unwillingness to make tough choices and his reliance on political theater is not only frustrating - it’s a disservice to both nations.