Armenia Azerbaijan tensions

What's next for Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan — and could Ilham Aliyev release them?

Azerbaijan-Armenia

February 19, 2026

Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan has said that “negotiations will not stop until the last Armenian detainee is returned”, a position that differs sharply from that of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

'Shocking but expected verdict': Ruben Vardanyan sentenced to 20 years in Baku

Ruben Vardanyan

February 17, 2026

The former state minister of the unrecognised NKR barred his lawyer from presenting arguments in his defence, saying it was “not a court, but a tribunal”. Vardanyan’s final statement, his family’s response and expert commentary

'Armenia breaks free from Russian-Turkish grip': reaction to JD Vance’s visit

Armenia-USA

February 10, 2026

According to political analyst Lilit Dallakyan, Washington views the South Caucasus as a single region and, in this context, expects certain steps towards normalising relations with Georgia as well.