An Azerbaijani soldier lost his life on Friday in border confrontations with Armenian forces.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that Garayev Mahammad Mahir, a serviceman in the Azerbaijan Army, was killed due to ongoing provocations by the Armenian armed forces.

The ministry stated that the operational situation is under control by Azerbaijan Army units.

Additionally, the ministry conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the fallen soldier.

A meeting has been scheduled in Brussels on Sunday between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and European Council President Charles Michel.

Additionally, the rival leaders have agreed to meet the leaders of France and Germany during a European summit in Moldova on June 1, according to the European Union.

Pashinyan, on Thursday, accused Azerbaijan of attempting to undermine the talks in Brussels and expressed doubt about the chances of signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan during the meeting. He stated that the draft agreement is still in its early stages and it is premature to discuss potential signing.

The European Union's mediation efforts follow talks in Washington earlier in May, where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken facilitated discussions between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers.

With Russia's influence declining since its invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have taken a more active role in mediating between the former Soviet republics.

Armenia, traditionally relying on Russia as its security guarantor, has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow. It has accused Russia of failing to fulfill its peacekeeping responsibilities when Azerbaijani environmental activists blocked the only land connection between Karabakh and Armenia in December due to illegal mining activities.

The two countries have engaged in wars over Karabakh in both the 1990s and in 2020. In 2020, Azerbaijan liberated Karabakh and several neighboring regions from three decades of illegal Armenian occupation, sparked by repeated Armenian cease-fire violations. (ILKHA)