BAKU: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Sunday evening for a two-day state visit, marking his first visit to the Caucasus nation since September 2018, Russian news agencies reported. The visit comes at a crucial time as Ukraine’s military offensive on Russian soil continues and regional dynamics remain tense.
The Russian leader’s arrival was broadcast live on Russian television, showcasing images of his plane landing in the Azerbaijani capital. This visit underscores the importance of Azerbaijan as a strategic partner for Russia and a key player in regional energy markets.
During his visit, Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on a range of topics, including bilateral relations, international issues, and regional challenges. The Kremlin has emphasized that the talks will cover “international and regional problems,” including the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.
On Sunday evening, Putin and Aliyev are set to dine together at the Azerbaijani president’s official residence. The state visit will also include a formal signing of joint documents and a press briefing on Monday, according to Russian agency Ria Novosti.
One of the significant events planned for Monday is Putin’s visit to the tomb of Heydar Aliyev, the father of the current Azerbaijani president and a key figure in the country’s modern history. Heydar Aliyev served as president from 1993 to 2003.
A major topic on the agenda is expected to be the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan’s recapture of the region in September 2023 from Armenian separatists has strained relations between Moscow and Yerevan.
Armenia has accused Russia of not providing adequate support during the conflict, leading to a shift in Yerevan’s alignment towards Western nations, particularly the United States.
The visit also comes at a time when Azerbaijan is playing a crucial role in European energy markets. With many European countries seeking alternatives to Russian natural gas due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Azerbaijan has emerged as a significant supplier. Additionally, Azerbaijan is set to host the COP29 climate conference in November.
Putin’s visit also comes against the backdrop of his international legal challenges. Since March 2023, he has been under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes, specifically the “deportation” of Ukrainian children to Russia. However, Azerbaijan is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which limits the applicability of the ICC’s arrest warrant in the country.
