Sergey Markelov on Moscow’s reaction to Azerbaijan’s anti-Russian actions

Speaking with Alpha News, Russian political scientist Sergey Markelov commented on the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, in particular, on the termination of Rossotrudnichestvo’s activities in Baku.

“The authorities in Baku are trying to explain to everyone who looks at them that they are not pro-Russian and are not under Russia’s total influence. Azerbaijan is looking for its political place in the regional sun. It is clear that it does not claim to be a world power, but it is looking for its own political subjectivity. They have the example of Erdogan, who allegedly demonstrates his ability to have it both ways: to be friends with NATO, to be friends with the European Union, to be friends with Russia, and to be friends with the whole world in general. Looking at the actions of his ‘elder brother,’ Aliyev is trying to play the same game to be friends with Russia, to send signals to Europe, and to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. That is, it is an indicator that they are searching. The Azerbaijani leadership does not have a complete idea of where they are going, so they are going in all directions,” Markelov said.

Referring to Russia’s reaction, the expert noted that Baku would be informed that such steps were unacceptable.

“Zakharova has already made a statement saying that Russia is ready to take into account all legal claims around the ‘Russian House’ in Baku. That is, we are being careful so far. Why? Because relations between Russia and Azerbaijan today are based not on direct liking but on historical ties. That is, relatively speaking, the younger Aliyev is now fulfilling some kind of political family order from the elder Aliyev, who was friends with the Soviet Union and passed it all on to his son. But this, of course, has nothing to do with today’s cynical and prudent policy, so Azerbaijan begins to fall out, and this tool stops working. Today, only benefits work,” Markelov concluded.