157
In an interview with Factor TV, Narek Minasyan, an associate expert at the Research Center on Security Policy, analyzed the key points of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statements. According to Minasyan, Aliyev is preparing for a scenario involving Russia’s “return” to the region, positioning himself as Moscow’s principal ally while portraying Armenia as a protégé of the West.
Minasyan highlights that Azerbaijan, by raising a clamor about Armenia’s military cooperation with various countries, is in fact attempting to divert attention from its own rapid militarization. By 2025, Azerbaijan’s defense budget is projected to reach a record $5 billion—nearly three times Armenia’s planned military expenditures for the upcoming year.
