“Declaring 2022 as the "Year of Shusha" by President Ilham Aliyev is quite logical and consistent with modern geopolitical processes that create new challenges for Azerbaijan. The 270th anniversary of Shusha, which is the cultural capital of Azerbaijan and had been under the occupation of the Armenian armed forces for almost thirty years, is indeed a significant event that should be celebrated with dignity,” an expert of the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, political scientist Mykola Zamikula has told AZERTAC.

The Ukrainian political scientist said that the declaration of the current year as "Year of Shusha" is also consistent with the historical and cultural significance of Shusha, adding that the city has a special place in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.

Zamikula mentioned that the new status quo established in the region opens up great opportunities for the development of Shusha.