On September 20, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, addressed the people.

Regarding the recent operation in the Karabakh region, Aliyev said, "Anti-terrorist measures of a local nature were started, and all tasks ahead were completed in just one day. The terrorists were punished, and Armenia was again shown that any provocations would be met with a befitting response. As a result of the initiation and successful completion of anti-terrorist measures around 13:00 [local time], Azerbaijan regained its sovereignty."

About the agreement with Karabakh Armenians, the Azerbaijani leader noted: "This morning, the information given to us by the international partners was that the illegal armed units, these units of the Armenian army, are already ready to accept our conditions. I conveyed our conditions to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, who called me yesterday. I was asked what is needed to stop the anti-terrorist measures. I said that the units of the Armenian army illegally settled in our territory should lay down their weapons, disarm, be completely removed from our territory, and at the same time, they should hand over all weapons and equipment. In that case, Azerbaijan can stop anti-terrorist measures. Otherwise, we will continue, and the enemy knows our strength and determination. We have already been informed this morning that our terms have been accepted. In addition, the representatives of the Armenian community living in Karabakh, who refused to meet with our representatives for several months, are ready to meet with us in the place we mentioned - in the city of Yevlakh." He added, "The process of removing illegal Armenian armed units from their positions has already begun. In addition, they accepted our condition and started handing over weapons."

Talking about the Armenians as a nation, he emphasized, "Despite all the injustices, despite all the crimes committed by the criminal Armenian regime, we have never blamed the Armenian people for these crimes. We did not blame the Armenian people for the Khojaly genocide, the destruction of our cities and villages, and the digging of graves. We have accused the elements of the criminal regime, the leaders, and we will bring them to justice. Some have already received their deserved punishment, and some will."

Aliyev also positively assessed Armenia’s recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity: "Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan, and the whole world knows it, including the Armenian leadership. If at one time he [Pashinyan] said, ‘Karabakh is Armenia and a point,' now he says, ‘Karabakh is Azerbaijan’ and not only says but also mentions the dimensions of our territory. True, he did not do it willingly, he was forced to do it at the expense of an 'iron fist.' But the fact is obvious."

Moreover, the Azerbaijani President touched upon the upcoming meeting with the Karabakh Armenians: "During the meeting between my representative and the representatives of the Karabakh community in Yevlakh, we will convey our views and visions of future coexistence to them. All their rights will be guaranteed - educational rights, cultural rights, religious rights, municipal electoral rights. We are ready to implement various social programs. When the second Karabakh war ended, I said that we would turn Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur into a paradise, and we are turning it into a paradise; everyone who comes sees it. We will create the same conditions in Khankendi [Stepanakert in Armenian], Aghdara, Khojavand, villages, and Asgaran."

Regarding Armenian leadership’s position on the recent operations and relations with Armenia, Ilham Aliyev stressed, "During this period - yesterday, today, I can say, Armenia has unexpectedly shown political competence, and we appreciate it. We see this as an important factor, and I think the events that happened yesterday and today will also positively affect the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I want to hope that the steps we have taken and the results of anti-terrorist measures will allow us to finally remove the obstacle to peace negotiations imposed, given, proposed by Armenia, whatever you call it. This will create a new reality and long-term peace in the South Caucasus."

Aliyev also shared his views on some international actors’ approach to the processes in the South Caucasus, "We suggest that the forces, fraudsters and corrupt politicians who are located far from our region, but pursue their own political agenda and use the Armenian people as a tool, exploit them and betray them, should leave us alone. Those who sit at the top of the world and make baseless accusations against us should stop. This region has been a place of quarrels, wars, and bloody clashes for centuries. Enough already! We demand this, and I want to say once again that the position of the Armenian state yesterday and today gives hope. It gives hope that that day [day of peace] is not far away - Azerbaijan and Armenia will settle the issues between them, sign a peace treaty, and the countries of the South Caucasus will start working on future cooperation in a tripartite format."