Azerbaijan, Armenia Hold Direct Talks in Abu Dhabi, Seek Peace Path

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held substantive talks in Abu Dhabi, marking the most serious direct negotiations yet in their long-standing conflict. Both leaders agreed that bilateral negotiations represent the most efficient format for advancing the normalization process, including border delimitation and confidence-building measures. The talks followed a March 2025 consensus on the text of a draft peace agreement, although some issues remain unresolved, such as Azerbaijan's demand for constitutional changes in Armenia. Russia, which has historically mediated between the two countries, welcomed the direct dialogue and expressed full support for a peace agreement, emphasizing its role in regional stability. The meeting, hosted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflects ongoing efforts to formally end decades of conflict in the South Caucasus and could significantly impact the geopolitics of an energy-rich region bordering Russia, Europe, Turkey, and Iran.