On May 28, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, met with the people who returned to the city of Lachin, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

Aliyev stated, "Now after Armenia has recognized our territorial integrity, there are practically no serious obstacles to a peace treaty. I am sure that if Armenia does not cheat again and does not change its position, a peace treaty can be signed shortly. If it is signed, it is very good, but even if it is not signed, the state of Azerbaijan cannot face any problems because of that. Because we are the stronger side, we are the ones who have a strong position at the negotiating table; we are the ones who have a strong position on the border. Even if the peace treaty is not signed, we will live comfortably and safely."

"The border checkpoint established on the border on April 23 should be a lesson for the Armenians living in the Karabakh region today. Unfortunately, they are still relying on someone, thinking that someone will save them in the future, someone will fight a war with Azerbaijan in the future. This is all nonsense. During the second Karabakh war, we showed a strong determination, and if no one ventured to intervene at that time, who would come and fight against us for the Armenians after we regained all these lands?" he added.

The Azerbaijani President emphasized, "There is only one option left – to obey the laws of Azerbaijan, be a loyal and normal citizen of Azerbaijan, throw the false state attributes in the trash, and dissolve the 'parliament' – as if there is a 'parliament' there as if there is a president as if there is a minister, all this is funny. We are simply being patient. However, everyone knows perfectly well that we have all the opportunities to carry out any operation in that region today. Therefore, the 'parliament' should be dissolved, the element calling himself 'president' should surrender, and all 'ministers,' 'deputies,' and others should give up their positions. Only in that case can a concession be made to them. Only in that case can we talk of an amnesty. I should also state that international organizations have actually completely agreed with our position of late."

"Some time ago, two of our soldiers went astray and found themselves in the territory of Armenia, where they were tortured. I must inform you that after the second Karabakh war, representatives of Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement that if someone goes astray – because this possibility is very high, especially in winter months, you know that the climate here is very harsh, there are mountains, valleys, and you can get lost – if such a situation occurs, such people should be returned within two days at most. We were doing exactly that. We detained them for a maximum of two days, interrogated and returned them – both civilians and soldiers. Look what they did. First of all, they brutally beat up, handcuffed, humiliated, and filmed the moment beating of our soldiers who had gone astray. After that, they arrested and already sentenced them," he added.