The Russian chief’s two-day state go to marks a shift in alliances within the politically unstable Caucasus area.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says throughout a go to to Baku that Moscow stays dedicated to its historic function in mediating peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia regardless of their struggle in Ukraine.
Putin was in Azerbaijan on a two-day go to, his first to the oil-rich nation since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022 and since Baku recaptured the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenian separatists in an offensive in September.
Russia has for many years been a standard mediator between the Caucasus foes, each former Soviet republics, however up to now two years Moscow has change into slowed down in its marketing campaign in Ukraine and Western powers have been enjoying a bigger function in arbitrating the battle.
“It’s well-known that Russia can also be dealing with crises, to begin with within the Ukrainian area,” Putin mentioned Monday in Baku in joint remarks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
“Nonetheless, Russia’s historic involvement in occasions within the South Caucasus, together with in recent times, makes it vital for us to take part wherever the events want it, indubitably.”
The Baku marketing campaign ended three a long time of Armenian separatist rule in Nagorno-Karabakh and soured relations between Yerevan and its conventional ally Moscow. Armenia accused Russia of inaction and has since strengthened its ties with Western international locations.
Russia had refused to intervene on Yerevan’s aspect and Azerbaijan regained the long-disputed area. After years of battle, the Armenian inhabitants fled the mountainous area for worry of reprisals – an exodus of greater than 100,000 folks.
“If we are able to do one thing to signal a peace settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, … we can be very comfortable to take action,” Putin mentioned.
The Russian chief mentioned that after his go to to Baku, he’ll contact Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to “inform him concerning the outcomes of our negotiations.”
Aliyev mentioned that the safety of the area largely depends upon shut cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia.
“The brand new state of affairs [since September] “This opens up new alternatives for establishing lasting peace within the South Caucasus,” he mentioned.
After the talks, Putin mentioned the leaders mentioned joint initiatives, together with the development of small tankers designed to move oil from the Caspian and Black Sea areas to the Mediterranean.
Azerbaijan, situated on the shores of the Caspian Sea, is a serious power provider to the European Union. Till now, the nation has largely pursued a coverage of independence from Moscow.
