Washington Declaration: The last step toward peace

Abstract

Soviet Armenia initiated the former conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the late 1980s, as Armenia claimed territory and occupied Azerbaijani land amid political turmoil. Ever since, for nearly three decades, talks have failed to produce any meaningful results, while U.N. Security Council resolutions repeatedly asked Armenia to withdraw.

In September 2020, following escalating provocations, fighting broke out on a grand scale once more. During the period of 44 days, effective counter-offensive actions were taken by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and freed Shusha, along with more than 300 other settlements from occupation. Armenia, nonetheless, could not withstand these victories and, on Nov. 10, 2020, signed a Russia-mediated cease-fire.