Azerbaijan's Victory in 2020 was not merely the military outcome of a territorial conflict that had lasted for many years. It marked the resolution of a problem that had remained unsettled for nearly three decades and the elimination of the contradiction between the principles of international law that had remained on paper and political reality. By restoring its territorial integrity, Azerbaijan achieved a political and military outcome that is relatively rare in the history of conflicts of the late 20th and 21st centuries: it effectively restored its sovereignty over internationally recognized territories that had remained outside its control for a long time.
The remarks made by President Ilham Aliyev during his meeting with participants of international conferences held in Baku also highlight precisely this political and historical significance of the Victory.
The head of state assessed the situation Azerbaijan faced not only as a confrontation with Armenia but also against the backdrop of the activities of international institutions that had failed to produce results for many years. According to the President's approach, Azerbaijan ultimately restored its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and rights through its own strength.
"The Azerbaijani people put an end to this injustice and established a global precedent. Because until then, occupied lands, unfortunately, were not being liberated. At any rate, such instances were not encountered in the 20th and 21st centuries, or were encountered only on very rare occasions,” the President stated.
International law left unenforced and the status quo changed by Azerbaijan
One of the main paradoxes of the Karabakh conflict was the gap between the international legal framework and its implementation. Despite four UN Security Council resolutions, a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict remained impossible for decades.
Referring to the activities of international organizations during that period, President Ilham Aliyev stated: "The world turned a blind eye to all of this for 30 years. The major powers supporting Armenia, including, first and foremost, the co-chair countries of the infamous Minsk Group, sought to cover up all these acts. Armenia did not allow any foreign observers into the occupied territories. But they brought certain politicians and public figures from the West and other countries who had been bribed to show them how they lived there. Yet international organizations remained silent. The United Nations, whose Security Council had adopted four resolutions calling for the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories, remained silent. The OSCE remained silent. The Council of Europe effectively supported the occupation. The European Parliament has always supported Armenia, the aggressor, and continues to do so today. This is just a small illustration of the attitude toward us."
The head of state also emphasized that Azerbaijan expected international organizations not to intervene militarily, but to provide a concrete political assessment of the occupation.
"We were not demanding that the Council of Europe go and fight against Armenia. We were demanding that a political decision be made: that the aggressor be called an aggressor."
The President also stated that major powers stood behind Armenia and, in this context, criticized the position of the former Minsk Group co-chair countries.
It was under these circumstances that the 44-day Patriotic War changed not only the situation on the battlefield but also the political reality that had existed for decades. In September 2023, illegal armed formations in Karabakh were disarmed, and Azerbaijan's sovereign state authority was established throughout its entire territory.
From military victory to legal responsibility
One of the important political and legal components of the post-war period was the appearance of the leaders of the former separatist entity and other defendants before an Azerbaijani court to face charges. Thus, following the elimination of separatism, specific criminal charges were brought into the legal arena.
Speaking about the events of September 2023 and the arrest of the separatists, President Ilham Aliyev stated: "But when we fully liberated Garabagh in September 2023, eradicated separatism, and arrested the separatists, just four months later, the Council of Europe imposed sanctions against us."
This approach also highlights the political context of the trials involving Ruben Vardanyan and other former separatist leaders. Although Vardanyan was not mentioned by name in the speech, the President presents the arrest of the separatists as part of the process following the restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty.
The political significance of these trials lies in the fact that a state affirms its sovereignty not only through effective control over its territory but also through the application of national legislation and judicial jurisdiction within that territory.
From occupation to reconstruction
The post-Victory period is not limited to military and legal processes. Another strategic priority is the restoration of life in the liberated territories.
Speaking about the condition of Aghdam during the occupation, the President stated that one of the purposes of the city's destruction was to make the return of Azerbaijanis impossible:
"All the buildings were demolished, and the stones were looted, taken away, and sold in markets. The main goal was to destroy the cities so that Azerbaijanis would never return."
In this regard, the Great Return and large-scale reconstruction are not merely economic and infrastructure projects, but also a process of strengthening sovereignty in the liberated territories in a long-term and sustainable manner.
From Victory toward peace
Another important aspect of the new reality created by Azerbaijan is the transition from war to a stage of interstate peace. On August 8, 2025, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed the draft agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations in Washington.
Thus, Azerbaijan's path consists of complementary stages. The Victory of 2020 changed the status quo created by the occupation; the full restoration of sovereignty in 2023 put an end to the separatist governance model; the subsequent trials brought the issue of legal responsibility under state jurisdiction; the reconstruction process ensured the restoration of life in the liberated territories; and the diplomatic stage laid the foundation for a transition from confrontation to interstate normalization.
In this sense, the central trajectory of the historical reality created by Azerbaijan is clear: from Victory to full sovereignty, from sovereignty to legal responsibility, and from legal responsibility toward lasting peace.
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ANALYSIS'>
