Baku: The OSCE Minsk Group, a pivotal platform in international diplomacy for over thirty years, was officially dissolved today, marking a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus. This dissolution represents not only the end of a formal structure but also the collapse of a mediation model previously led by the United States, Russia, and France. For Azerbaijan, this move denotes the conclusion of an outdated mechanism, aligning with the new geopolitical reality that the nation has established through its own political strategies. By dismantling the Minsk Group, Azerbaijan has effectively ended what it perceived as a long-standing ‘great power management game.’
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Minsk Group was initially established in March 1992 during the military phase of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Its primary objective was to facilitate negotiations, diplomatically regulate the conflict, and establish a framework for lasting peace in the region. The inclusion of the U.S., Russia, and France as co-chairs was intended to provide the mediation process with substantial political influence.
However, the group’s internal dynamics were characterized by competition among these major powers. The United States and France maintained closer ties with Armenia, while Russia viewed the region as part of its sphere of influence. Consequently, the Minsk Group’s mission transformed into an ‘international theatre of conflicting interests,’ with Azerbaijan’s interests often being underrepresented. For years, Azerbaijan asserted that the Minsk Group served to freeze the conflict rather than resolve it.
President Ilham Aliyev consistently criticized the Minsk Group for its inability to fulfill its mandate. During a meeting with the group’s co-chairs following the Patriotic War, President Aliyev highlighted this issue, stating that despite the group’s activities and attempts at creativity, there were no tangible results. This sentiment was echoed during a meeting on December 12, 2020, with representatives from France, the U.S., Russia, and the OSCE.
One of the most contentious aspects of the Minsk Group’s approach was its ‘balanced approach,’ which Azerbaijan perceived as diplomatic injustice. The group treated Armenia and Azerbaijan equally, despite Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Mediators often ignored UN Security Council resolutions and other international documents, maintaining an equal stance between the two sides, sometimes even favoring Armenia. This approach distorted the conflict’s essence and masked Armenia’s violations of international law.
Azerbaijan’s dissatisfaction with the Minsk Group’s mediation led to a shift towards a military-political solution to the conflict. The Second Karabakh War, a 44-day military campaign, effectively ended the Minsk Group’s legitimacy. Azerbaijan independently implemented UN Security Council resolutions, ending the occupation and restoring control over its borders. The Minsk Group’s failure over three decades stood in stark contrast to Azerbaijan’s swift military success.
Following the war, Azerbaijan publicly stated there was no need for the Minsk Group’s activities. President Aliyev’s interactions with the co-chairs underscored this sentiment, as he expressed openness to hear their contributions but emphasized that their presence was not essential.
From 2023 to 2025, the Minsk Group gradually ceased operations. The OSCE Ministerial Council eventually confirmed the group’s dissolution in 2025, formalizing Azerbaijan’s diplomatic victory on an international level. This dissolution has reshaped international relations in the South Caucasus, demonstrating that the region’s primary actor is not external powers but Azerbaijan itself.
Speaking to APA, Zaur Mammadov, an adviser at the Academy of Public Administration under the President and chairman of the Baku Club of Political Scientists, highlighted that the Minsk Group’s dissolution reflects its failure to produce results over 30 years. The group’s symbolic visits and recycled statements failed to address the conflict, with major powers using the situation as a political bargaining tool.
The dissolution of the Minsk Group marks the beginning of a new era in the region. It signifies the end of external interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs and the establishment of a new political order. Azerbaijan’s strategic actions have thwarted attempts to manipulate the Armenian issue as a tool of regional instability. The decision to dissolve the Minsk Group is a testament to Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and the success of its independent diplomatic policies, concluding a diplomatic endeavor that spanned three decades.