Last updated: May 29, 2026
Vladimir Putin has been the central figure in Russia’s management of the South Caucasus for over two decades. His administration brokered the November 9, 2020 ceasefire that ended the 44-Day War, deployed Russian peacekeepers to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), and positioned Russia as the indispensable mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan. That architecture has since collapsed: Russia failed to prevent the Lachin Corridor blockade , took no action during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive that resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s entire Armenian population, and watched as Armenia systematically withdrew from Russian-led security and economic structures.
The Ukraine War , which Putin launched in February 2022, fundamentally altered Russia’s capacity and willingness to act in the South Caucasus. With military resources committed to Ukraine and diplomatic isolation from the West deepening, Moscow’s ability to enforce its South Caucasus commitments diminished sharply. Putin’s personal relationships with Aliyev and Pashinyan — and his apparent willingness to tolerate Azerbaijan’s territorial advances — have become a template for how great-power guarantees can unravel when the guarantor’s interests diverge from the guaranteed party’s needs.
Groong covers Putin’s role in South Caucasus affairs through direct analysis of Russian policy, tracking of the peace process mediation formats, and assessment of what Russian withdrawal from its traditional mediating role means for the durability of any future Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement.
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Vladimir Putin.
Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 460 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Episode 459 | Recorded: August 11, 2025
Summary In this episode, Christine Arakelian and Col. Douglas MacGregor join the hosts to analyze U.S. foreign policy moves from Gaza to the South Caucasus. They discuss Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the likely resumption of hostilities. The conversation examines the Trump–Pashinyan–Aliyev White House summit, the strategic “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and its impact on Russia, Iran, and India. The guests explore India–Armenia relations, U.S. economic vulnerabilities, and the challenges of sustaining a long-term American role in the Read More
Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025
Episode 458 | Recorded: August 9, 2025
In this episode, former U.S. Army officer and military-political analyst Stanislav Krapivnik discusses the geopolitical fallout from the Trump-Pashinyan-Aliyev summit in Washington, which saw the announcement of a “peace” framework, the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, U.S. plans for a 99-year “Trump Corridor” across Armenia, and the dropping of Section 907 to allow arms sales to Azerbaijan. He examines Russia’s heavy focus on the Ukraine war at the expense of the South Caucasus, the loss of Russian leverage over Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the growing role of Turkey. Krapivnik warns of Read More
Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025
Episode 457 | Recorded: August 3, 2025
Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025
Episode 448 | Recorded: June 21, 2025
Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025
Episode 447 | Recorded: June 15, 2025
In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, to analyze the geopolitical fallout from Israel’s surprise military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion. We explore how the attacks may sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, shift Russia’s strategic calculus, and destabilize the South Caucasus—particularly Armenia’s Syunik province. We also examine the implications for Russia-Iran relations, the Zangezur corridor, and Azerbaijan’s military posture. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, recent Read More
Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025
Episode 444 | Recorded: June 9, 2025
Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025
Episode 442 | Recorded: June 2, 2025
Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025
Episode 441 | Recorded: May 28, 2025
Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025
Episode 437 | Recorded: May 16, 2025
Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025
Episode 436 | Recorded: May 15, 2025
Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025
Episode 435 | Recorded: May 12, 2025
Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025
Episode 433 | Recorded: May 2, 2025
What happened to Antiwar Voices. Color Revolutions as US Strategy. Armenia and Pipeline Geopolitics. And more!
Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025
Episode 427 | Recorded: April 6, 2025
In this Conversations on Groong episode, we speak with Professor Warwick Powell about the tectonic shifts in global trade, economics, and geopolitics. From Washington’s renewed tariff wars to China’s expanding influence through BRICS and infrastructure initiatives like the BRI, Powell shares his insights on the emerging multipolar order and the declining dominance of the U.S.-centric financial system.
Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025
Episode 426 | Recorded: April 8, 2025
Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025
Episode 423 | Recorded: March 17, 2025
Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025
Episode 422 | Recorded: March 12, 2025
Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025
Episode 420 | Recorded: February 27, 2025
Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025
Episode 419 | Recorded: February 27, 2025
Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025
Episode 418 | Recorded: February 24, 2025
Episode 415 | Recorded: February 6, 2025
Episode 415 | Recorded: February 6, 2025
Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentineâs Day, February 14, 2025
Episode 414 | Recorded: Valentineâs Day, February 14, 2025
A New Détente? The Trump-Putin Call. Russia’s Strategic Choices. Russo-Armenian Relations. Russo-Azerbaijani Relations. Georgia’s Pragmatism.
Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025
Episode 407 | Recorded: January 25, 2025
Episode 406 | Recorded: January 20, 2025
Episode 406 | Recorded: January 20, 2025
Episode 404 | Recorded: January 14, 2025
Episode 404 | Recorded: January 14, 2025
Episode 396 | Recorded: December 13, 2024
Episode 396 | Recorded: December 13, 2024