Ilham Aliyev: At that time we frequently received signals that we needed to accept reality

We ourselves ensured justice; our people, united as one fist, demonstrated great heroism both in 2020 and in 2023. We ourselves ensured justice thanks to the professionalism, dedication, and valor of our Armed Forces. Of course, bringing war criminals to justice and organizing a fair trial, I repeat, became the final point on the path to justice.

As reported by AZERTAC, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated this during a meeting with representatives of the public of the Khojaly district.

"In the world, it is rare to find countries that simultaneously achieve a complete and unconditional victory in a just war, restore their territorial integrity and sovereignty by liberating every inch of land, and bring war criminals to trial. We did this — the Azerbaijani state. Our will, I can say, our unbending will, ensured this. The Azerbaijani public knows well what pressure and threats we had to endure during the period of occupation. At that time, we frequently received signals that we needed to accept reality, that Azerbaijan would not be able to liberate its lands, that major states, patrons of Armenia, would not allow it, that the Azerbaijani Army would not be able to achieve victory on the battlefield.

Such fabrications were spread across a wide information space and conveyed to the leadership of Azerbaijan through various channels. However, there was no force that could influence our will, and we stated this repeatedly. During the period of occupation, I said both from authoritative international platforms and during numerous meetings with the then displaced persons that we would not accept the occupation, and if the issue was not resolved through negotiations, we would restore our territorial integrity by military means. And that is exactly what happened," the head of state added.