Why Have Russian Peacekeepers Left the Karabakh Region Since the Second Karabakh War?

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that led to Russia's peacekeepers leaving the Karabakh region after Azerbaijan's military operations in September 2023. It analyzes two critical variables: Turkish involvement and Russia's strategic and economic relationship with Azerbaijan. In light of Turkey's military and diplomatic support for Azerbaijan, Russia sought to avoid confrontation with a NATO member and regional power. Simultaneously, Russia's strong political and economic ties with Azerbaijan, particularly in energy and trade, made it a strategic partner that Russia was unwilling to lose - especially in the context of the ongoing war with Ukraine.