Aliyev calls for readiness amid conflict, while Pashinyan won’t increase defense spending

Azerbaijan is ready for unpredictable conflicts, the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev, has stated. Despite Armenia and Azerbaijan signing a peace agreement just days ago on Aug. 8, Aliyev again spoke aggressively about Armenia and its people.

“We want peace. However, this bloody history must never be erased from our memory; we must not be deceived by sweet words, and we must remain vigilant,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper Adalet.

Aliyev emphasized the need to be prepared for unpredictable conflicts, noting that global developments are unfolding in unforeseeable ways, and “it is impossible to know what tomorrow will bring.” He also stressed that the guarantor of Azerbaijan’s security is its armed forces.

Notably, while Aliyev calls for readiness amid conflict, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that defense spending will not increase in the 2026 state budget.

“Most likely, there will be no significant increase in defense expenditures in the 2026 state budget. This is logical,” Pashinyan said.