US Congress Calls on Biden to Halt Military Aid to Azerbaijan

The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin, has called on American authorities and personally President Joe Biden to stop military assistance to Azerbaijan due to Baku's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the Democratic senator, military supplies from the US to Azerbaijan are 'unacceptable in the current situation.'

‘It is necessary to cease military assistance to Baku, especially against the backdrop of the brutal campaign conducted by the Azerbaijani army. Humanitarian aid must be provided as quickly as possible to the ethnic Armenians who have fled Nagorno-Karabakh,’ Cardin stated in his announcement published on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The American politician believes that Washington should assist Yerevan in implementing necessary democratic reforms 'during these difficult times.'

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched an 'anti-terrorist operation' in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. A day later, Baku and the authorities of Karabakh agreed on a ceasefire. Meanwhile, a number of leaders in the country (including businessman and former Prime Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan) have been captured by Azerbaijani security forces. Additionally, due to the escalation of the conflict, Armenians residing in Karabakh have left en masse; official data indicates that over 100,000 ethnic Armenians have entered Armenian territory.

On October 2, Azerbaijan announced a 'reintegration program' for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming it includes guarantees that local Armenians will be able to preserve their language and religion.