Konstantin Zatulin advises not to “get carried away” over normalization of Moscow-Baku relations

Azerbaijan is a strategic partner and ally of Turkey, and one should not pretend that there are no political differences between it and Russia, noted Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Russia’s Special Representative for Migration and Citizenship Issues, in a conversation with the radio station “Govorit Moskva.”

“What Dmitry Peskov said is simply a statement of fact, that Azerbaijan has not been an ally of Russia on this issue since the very start of the special military operation, and it openly considers that it is maintaining its relations with the Zelensky regime and demonstratively strengthening them. If Mr. Aliyev believes this creates no problems in relations with Russia, then I think he is mistaken in this case.

We’re talking about the general attitude toward Azerbaijan as a partner. Azerbaijan is certainly not a strategic partner of ours. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have relations in a wide range of areas, I welcome that. But there’s no reason to get carried away about it. Nor should we pretend that we have no differences, geopolitical, political, or otherwise. So I consider the enthusiasm over Azerbaijan viewing our relations as normalized to be misplaced in this case. Azerbaijan is a strategic partner and ally of Turkey, it’s our neighbor, but it seeks an alliance not with us at all,” Zatulin said.

Earlier, Dmitry Peskov called Ilham Aliyev’s position on Ukraine mistaken. At the same time, it should not cast a shadow over bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, the Kremlin spokesman stated.

The day before, Ilham Aliyev said he holds the same position he has held since the very start of the conflict in Ukraine. The Azerbaijani president voiced support for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and pointed to the “occupation” of its lands.