"Past" newspaper writes:
"Since the beginning of 2026, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has been promoting the so-called "Western Azerbaijan" ideology with new momentum. At first glance, it is presented as a matter of "right of return", "human rights" or "historical justice", but in content this is a clear tool of long-term political pressure on the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
In Aliyev's speech, Armenia is repeatedly presented as a "historical Azerbaijani territory". This approach is not a random play on words. When the head of the state describes the territory of another state by a different name, when speaking about Syunik, the wording "Western Zangezur" is used, and regarding the territory of Armenia, "Western Azerbaijan", it is no longer even a false "historical" discussion.
It is a preparation for a political demand. Baku is trying to wrap this dangerous agenda in a peaceful vocabulary. There is talk of "peaceful return", "rights of the displaced", "cultural heritage". However, under these formulations, an ideological system is being formed, the goal of which is to maintain constant pressure on Armenia even after the end of the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan did not leave this topic only at the level of statements.
The so-called "Community of Western Azerbaijan" was created and receives state support. The topic is introduced to educational, cultural, propaganda and media platforms. In other words, it is not about one or two speeches, but about a political line being built by the state. The most dangerous thing is that Aliyev is trying to connect this agenda with the topic of regional communications. The continuous circulation of "Zangezur" and "West Zangezur" shows that Baku keeps pressure on Syunik not only in the field of propaganda, but also in the field of negotiations. Under these conditions, the most dangerous mistake for Armenia would be to consider the problem secondary.
Meanwhile, the response of the Armenian authorities often remains vague, delayed and "dispersive". Nikol Pashinyan, who is obliged to clearly answer whether there is any agenda for the mass settlement of Azerbaijanis in the territory of Armenia, prefers to avoid direct statements. This is not an issue that can be talked about in general terms or divert the topic in another direction.
If Aliyev talks about the "return of Western Azerbaijanis", if the Azerbaijani propaganda machine circulates theses of historical ambitions for different settlements of Armenia, then the Armenian government must say very clearly that the Republic of Armenia does not accept any agenda that could lead to the violation of the territorial, demographic or security balance of Armenia. Otherwise, the silence, evasive answers and vague wordings create reasonable doubt in the public that the government is ready to discuss even such issues that are directly related to Armenia's sovereignty. And when it comes to the possible "return" or resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis, this is no longer just a diplomatic topic. This is a matter of national security.
This policy of Azerbaijan should not be considered in the framework of separate statements, but in the framework of a complete strategy. First, the historical narrative is created, then the language of "right" is formed, then this topic enters the international platforms, and finally it turns into a negotiation demand. Baku has already taken that path in other directions, and Armenia has no right to be late again. The thesis called "Western Azerbaijan" is an ideological preparation for a new aggression against Armenia. It may not start with a gunshot, but it starts with words, maps, textbooks, official speeches and propaganda to an international audience.
And not responding to such processes is not pacifism, but dangerous irresponsibility. The government of Armenia should stop the ambiguity and clearly state that "Western Azerbaijan" does not exist in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the demographic and territorial security of Armenia cannot be the subject of any negotiations."
