Azerbaijan marks the fifth anniversary of its historic
Victory in the Patriotic War. On November 8, 2020, the 44-day
military operations came to an end, and under the leadership of the
Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, the country
restored its territorial integrity. This Victory became not only a
military achievement but also a political milestone – the moment
that marked the beginning of a new era for Azerbaijan and the
entire South Caucasus.
Over the past five years, Ilham Aliyev has transformed military
success into a long-term strategy for development and peace. Today,
the region stands on the threshold of a peace treaty between
Azerbaijan and Armenia – an agreement that will cement the new
reality shaped by Azerbaijan’s decisive actions and the political
course set by its leader.
The peace that the country achieved through Victory reflects
President Ilham Aliyev’s broader vision. He has viewed the South
Caucasus as a single space capable of developing through
interconnectivity, economy, and transport. Many of the ideas that
seemed bold predictions five years ago are now seen as self-evident
realities.
In 2025, Azerbaijan holds a key place in the new system of
linkages across Eurasia. The South Caucasus has become an integral
part of global logistics and energy routes – something now
recognized in Brussels, Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. President
Ilham Aliyev has become the architect of this new political
geography of the South Caucasus.
One of its symbols is the Zangezur Corridor project, which
connects mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and Türkiye, becoming
an important link in the Eurasian transport network. Just a few
years ago, this idea was viewed as a political declaration – today
it is turning into real infrastructure. Ilham Aliyev has always
seen this route not as a tool of rivalry, but as an instrument of
integration – a foundation for lasting peace in the region. And
many politicians and leaders are only now beginning to realize
this.
On the international stage, Ilham Aliyev demonstrates a rare
balance between pragmatism and principle. He consistently defends
the independence of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, building relations
with major global powers on equal terms and guided by national
interests. Negotiations with Armenia, engagement with the West,
dialogue with Russia and Iran – all remain integral parts of a
single strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s sovereignty
and security.
The fifth anniversary of the Victory is not only a reminder of
the past but also an opportunity to assess the outcomes of
decisions made after the war. President Ilham Aliyev has turned
military success into the diplomatic and economic foundation for
the development not just of one country – but of an entire
region.
This is what truly distinguishes exceptional political leaders:
the ability not only to win, but also to create opportunities – for
everyone, even for those who were once on the other side of the
battlefield.
