Expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor pipelines carrying Azerbaijani gas to Europe is on hold pending confirmation that Europe will buy the gas. Baku's offensive to retake Nagorno-Karabakh could further complicate things.
The Armenian prime minister said that, while Armenia was prepared to accommodate those leaving Karabakh, they would not be under direct threat if they stayed put, under Azerbaijani rule.
Many Armenians believe the strategic partnership with Russia has brought their country nothing but ruin and want to look elsewhere, but Moscow retains ample levers to exert pressure.
The de facto authorities have agreed to disarm and start talks on integration with Azerbaijan, bringing an end to three decades of Armenian rule in the region.
Baku says it won't stop until it has achieved the dissolution of the Armenian-populated region's de facto government and the disbanding of its armed forces.
