Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev may support Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan more to strengthen his position in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia. Senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and former US ambassador to Uzbekistan (2000-2003) and Ukraine (2003-2006), John Herbst, stated this while being a guest on the Power Factor program of Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“I have been studying the economy and politics of the South Caucasus for more than 30 years, and I can say that during all this time, Pashinyan is the second leader of Armenia who is so interested in establishing peace with Azerbaijan. I believe that Baku and Ankara understand this, and that is why they support him,” the retired American diplomat noted, and added that for the same reason US Vice President JD Vance openly endorsed Pashinyan while he visited Yerevan.

According to Herbst, Aliyev, however, may support Pashinyan more than today, and the best option for this would be to sign the peace treaty now, before the upcoming parliamentary election in Armenia.

"It would be great if Armenia and Azerbaijan signed and ratified the peace treaty right now. Yes, Baku has demands on this matter. But if Aliyev really wants to help Pashinyan, he can take that step right away. In that case, the way would immediately be opened also for the treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In that case, Pashinyan's positions would be further strengthened," John Herbst said.