In a big and surprising change, Armenia has given four border villages to Azerbaijan. Some people say this is a brave step toward peace. Others say it is a dangerous mistake.
Leaders talk about safety, progress, and getting support from the world. But many people are angry. They are marching in the streets. They feel like their country is losing its land. The border is changing. And so is the heart of the country.
Now, everyone is asking: Did Armenia choose peace; or give up too much?
Peace or a National Gamble?
In a bold and controversial move, Armenia has officially returned four long-disputed border villages to Azerbaijan. The decision, confirmed by both Yerevan and Baku, marks a historic step toward normalizing relations after decades of hostility, war, and failed peace efforts.
But the announcement has ignited a political storm inside Armenia. Many citizens see it not as progress, but as a dangerous compromise that threatens national sovereignty and abandons residents near the frontier.
Protests Sweep the Nation
Led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in Yerevan and the Tavush border region. Chanting against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, protesters accuse him of making one-sided concessions without ensuring Armenia’s security in return.
“We’re losing land without gaining peace,” one protester said. “This is not negotiation; it’s surrender.”
What’s Being Returned?
The villages; Baghanis Ayrum, Ashaghi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Ghizilhajili, had been under Armenian control since the early 1990s.
They sit along a strategic 12.7-kilometer stretch of border that impacts roads, trade, and movement between Armenia and Georgia.
- Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have now switched control over the region.
- New roads are promised by the government to reconnect affected Armenian communities.
- A transitional security plan is in place until July 24, 2024.
Pashinyan Defends the Decision
In a speech on national TV, Prime Minister Pashinyan said clear borders are very important for Armenia’s peace and freedom in the future.
“This deal makes our country safer and more stable,” he said. He explained that it is part of a bigger plan to have peaceful borders that the world accepts.
He admitted this decision is hard and could hurt his political future. But he said he wants to stop having trenches near people’s homes and build gardens instead.
Life Near the Border: Fear, Uncertainty, Departure
The village of Kirants now sits just meters from the redrawn line. Some locals have already dismantled their homes and left, unsure of what life under looming Azerbaijani presence might bring.
The national security service says villagers will still be able to access key roadways; for now. But many wonder: What happens next?
In a dramatic move, Russia recalled its ambassador from Armenia for consultations; an unusual and symbolic act highlighting rising tensions between Moscow and Yerevan.
Western countries have cautiously supported the agreement as a potential opening for regional peace, though no major diplomatic breakthrough has yet occurred.
A Nation Divided
Pashinyan’s critics say that giving up territory without demanding the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian land occupied in 2021–2022 is reckless. Opposition groups argue that the deal weakens Armenia, emboldens Baku, and places border communities at risk.
Still, negotiations continue; and with them, the fate of the region remains uncertain.
What Lies Ahead?
- A July 1 deadline looms for both governments to finalize a regulation on future border talks.
- Discussions over enclaves, exclaves, and unresolved frontiers are expected in coming months.
- Domestic unrest may intensify as opposition rallies grow in size and scope.
Whether this is a bold path to peace or a fateful misstep; Armenia has crossed into new territory, both literally and politically.