Vladimir Putin
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.
Groong episodes that include this tag
Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Vladimir Putin.
On November 9, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed The Statement ending the war in Artsakh, known more commonly as Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia emerged as a major winner, by ending the violence, introducing peacekeepers, and upholding its historical role as the regional referee in the Caucasus. What are Russiaâs interests in the region, and in this agreement?
Pietro Shakarian helps us explore. He is a historian and a Ph.D. candidate in Russian History at the Ohio State University. His analyses on Russia, Armenia, and the post-Soviet space have appeared in several publications, including The
Read MoreOn November 9, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed The Statement ending the war in Artsakh, known more commonly as Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia emerged as a major winner, by ending the violence, introducing peacekeepers, and upholding its historical role as the regional referee in the Caucasus. What are Russiaâs interests in the region, and in this agreement?
Pietro Shakarian helps us explore. He is a historian and a Ph.D. candidate in Russian History at the Ohio State University. His analyses on Russia, Armenia, and the post-Soviet space have appeared in several publications, including The
Read MoreTurkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle East | Series: wir
ANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Turkey & Azerbaijan Connecting | Opposition Uniting | Putin support? | Kocharyan Interview Ep. 30 - Dec. 6, 2020 [EP30]
Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Turkey, Russia, Economy, Iran, China, Geopolitics, Middle EastANN/Groong Week in Review - Dec 6, 2020
Topics:
- Turkey and Azerbaijan Connecting
- Armeniaâs Political Opposition Uniting
- Does Putin support Pashinyan?
- Robert Kocharyan Interview
Guests:
Episode 30 | Recorded: Dec 6, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle East, Armenian Church | Series: wir
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan | Scene in Yerevan | COVID | Armenia Fund (Ep. 29) [EP29]
Posted on Friday, Dec 4, 2020 | Category: Armenia, Georgia, Economy, Russia, China, Middle East, Armenian ChurchGuest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 29 - Nov 29, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Border Demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
- The Scene in Yerevan
- COVID Update
- Armenia Fund support for the post-war Economy
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Hrant Mikaelian
Recorded: Nov 29, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 27 - Nov 15, 2020
Topics Covered:
- The war ends. What are the terms of the deal?
- Pax Russiana
- The extent of Turkeyâs presence in Azerbaijan
- Jubilation in Baku
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Recorded: Nov 15, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 27 - Nov 15, 2020
Topics Covered:
- The war ends. What are the terms of the deal?
- Pax Russiana
- The extent of Turkeyâs presence in Azerbaijan
- Jubilation in Baku
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Artyom Tonoyan
Recorded: Nov 15, 2020
Guest(s):
ANN/Groong Week in Review Episode 26 - Nov 8, 2020
Topics Covered:
- Six weeks of war, what to do next.
- What is Russia thinking?
- To recognize or not to recognize.
Your Hosts:
- Asbed Bedrossian
- Hovik Manucharyan
Resident Panelists:
- Asbed Kotchikian
- Emil Sanamyan
- Yeghia Tashjian
Recorded: Nov 7, 2020