At least 212 people were killed in a blast at a fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh amid the chaos of the entire Armenian population's exodus from the region.
During a visit timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of his accession to the presidency, Ilham Aliyev trampled on the flag of his vanquished foes and delivered an aggressive and gloating speech.
As Baku rejects French involvement in peace talks, the leaders of Georgia and Azerbaijan seem to agree that the countries of the South Caucasus should "address regional issues themselves."
The decision comes amid the mass exodus of Armenians from Karabakh and after the arrest by Azerbaijan of one of the region's most prominent former officials.
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.