Azerbaijan marked Victory Day on Sunday with nationwide commemorations celebrating the sixth anniversary of the end of the Karabakh war. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev led the Victory Day commemorations by laying a wreath at the Victory Monument in Khankendi, where he paid tribute to Azerbaijani soldiers and officers who died during the 2020 war. Aliyev called the liberation of Shusha on 8 November 2020 the decisive moment of the conflict and congratulated both the nation and the Armed Forces for their victory six years ago.
In a powerful message about the strength of the ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan despite recent differences, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan travelled to Azerbaijan to participate in the commemorations at Aliyev's invitation. Erdoğan and his wife, Emine Erdoğan, were greeted by Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in Karabakh. The visit comes after weeks of diplomatic disagreements between Ankara and Baku, along with criticism of Azerbaijan from within Turkish society.
Yet on a day of considerable historical significance for both countries, the two leaders spoke of their intent to demonstrate the resilience of their long-standing partnership. Welcoming Erdoğan, Aliyev described the Turkish president's presence at the commemorations in Karabakh as a demonstration of their alliance's strength during a joint press conference. "This unity will last forever," Aliyev declared.
"Your presence with us on Victory Day brings joy to the entire Azerbaijani people." He added that the two countries were stronger together and that Erdoğan’s visit to Karabakh demonstrated their unity to the world. In a post on X, Erdoğan said that "six years ago, under the resolute leadership of my brother Ilham, the Azerbaijani people stood united and, with great heroism, restored Karabakh’s freedom." "This glorious victory remains the finest expression of Azerbaijan’s just cause and a source of pride for the entire Turkic world." Erdoğan joined Aliyev in reaffirming their special relationship by saying that “those seeking to weaken the Azerbaijan-Turkey brotherhood will never achieve their goals.” Erdoğan's visit also highlighted the alliance's importance as both countries navigate shifting regional relationships and international priorities, with shared strategic interests even when differences emerge over individual policies. Erdoğan sought to reinforce the alliance's importance ahead of his visit, countering criticisms of Baku within Turkish society by saying relations with Azerbaijan extended “far beyond conventional diplomatic engagement.” He also said that the “unbreakable bond” between the countries was a product of “our joint history, culture, destiny, and, God willing, our future.” “Ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan could overcome all obstacles”, Erdoğan said, and his presence at the Victory Day commemorations appeared to have reinforced that message.
Aliyev echoed Erdoğan, describing the two countries' relationship as exceptionally close. The relationship was reinforced during the last 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, when Turkey provided political and military support to Baku. Azerbaijan's retaking of the strategically important city of Shusha on 8 November marked a turning point in the conflict, with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement signed two days later on 10 November.
The anniversary of Shusha’s capture is now commemorated annually as Azerbaijan’s Victory Day. Aliyev acknowledged Turkey's support during the 2020 conflict, whilst directly addressing Erdoğan, stating that “during 44 days, my dear brother, and the brotherly Turkish people were by our side." The Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance was formalised on 15 June 2021, when the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations was signed, which strengthened defence and security cooperation. As the two leaders made this year's Victory Day a powerful symbol of the historical and political relationship between Turkey and Azerbaijan, six years after the war, the South Caucasus is entering a new phase with economic cooperation, reconstruction and regional diplomacy shaping its future.
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