YEREVAN – Political analyst Suren Surenyants claims that Azerbaijan’s sharp condemnation of the burning of a Turkish flag in Yerevan is a calculated move to influence Armenia’s internal affairs rather than a genuine concern for diplomatic protocol. Surenyants made these remarks in a Facebook post on Monday, April 27, 2026, highlighting what he perceives as a selective approach from Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Selective Condemnation
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs ‘strongly condemned’ the flag burning incident in Yerevan, calling for those responsible to be held accountable and asserting that such actions cannot be justified by freedom of speech. Surenyants, however, argues that Baku’s reaction is not rooted in a ‘value component.’
He points out the hypocrisy of Azerbaijan’s stance, stating, “First, the selective approach is obvious. Azerbaijan rushes to condemn the actions of private individuals in the capital of another country, while at the state level it carries out an act of vandalism, destroying the Mother Cathedral of Stepanakert.”
A Broader Strategy of Influence
Surenyants further elaborates on the strategic implications of Baku’s response. “Second, Baku reacts not to the burning of its own state symbol, but that of Turkey, thereby not only emphasizing its allied relations, but also trying to influence Armenia’s internal agenda by forming ‘permissible boundaries,'” he wrote.
According to the analyst, this is essentially a political message from Baku, directed at both the public and state institutions, attempting to influence Armenia’s internal relations and decisions. He draws a parallel to the demand for constitutional changes, suggesting a pattern of external pressure.
“Baku’s reaction is not only connected with the flag burning. It is part of a broader strategy to put pressure on Armenia, to shape its internal agenda and to dictate, from the position of a ‘winner,’ what is ‘permissible,'” Surenyants concluded.
The incident and subsequent condemnation underscore the ongoing tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus region.
