Baku, August 25, 2025 — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement on August 22 marking the end of the so-called “Karabakh Movement” signals a historic turning point. Pashinyan called the movement “politically and historically exhausted,” acknowledging what many observers view as the final collapse of Armenia’s decades-long separatist agenda.
For Azerbaijan, this recognition is more than symbolic — it is the culmination of over 30 years of struggle to restore territorial integrity. Yet, the implications stretch beyond bilateral relations, shaping the geopolitical architecture of the South Caucasus.
From Separatism to Defeat: The Four Stages of the ‘Karabakh Movement’
The movement began in the late 1980s under the guise of “self-determination,” evolving into full-scale armed occupation by the early 1990s. Backed by Armenia, separatist forces seized Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, displacing over 700,000 Azerbaijanis and causing massive destruction.
For decades, the Minsk Group mediated under the pretext of peace but effectively preserved the status quo. This changed in 2020, when Azerbaijan launched the Second Karabakh War, regaining most occupied lands. By 2023, through military and diplomatic efforts, Baku restored full control over its territory.
Why Pashinyan’s Statement Matters
Pashinyan’s admission is more than rhetoric. It reflects a deep shift in Armenia’s domestic discourse, from irredentist narratives toward a pragmatic survival strategy. However, remnants of constitutional clauses referring to “reunification with Nagorno-Karabakh” still remain, creating legal contradictions Armenia must address to avoid future instability.
A Chance for Real Peace
With the era of occupation behind, the South Caucasus faces an opportunity for genuine regional integration — if nationalist myths give way to economic cooperation. For Armenia, that means abandoning fantasies of “Greater Armenia” and embracing connectivity projects like the Zangezur Corridor, which could transform the region into a hub for trade and energy.
