Azerbaijan declines participation in CIS Economic Council in Moscow

Azerbaijan has opted not to take part in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Economic Council meeting in Moscow on July 18, amid escalating diplomatic tensions with Russia, a source familiar with the matter told Trend.

The country is typically represented at such gatherings by First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov, who will not be attending this session. The decision, according to the source, is linked to recent events that have severely strained relations between Baku and Moscow, Caliber.Az reports per Trend.

"The decision stems from recent developments in Yekaterinburg, the downing of a civilian aircraft, and Russia’s unwillingness to take appropriate steps to address these issues," the source said.

Tensions between the two countries have intensified over the past several months. On June 27, 2025, Russian law enforcement launched a major raid in Yekaterinburg, detaining at least 14 individuals—12 of them Azerbaijani nationals. Physical force and torture were used during the operation, resulting in the deaths of two Azerbaijani brothers, Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarovs. The incident provoked widespread anger in Azerbaijan, both among the public and within government circles.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions of Russian authorities, describing them as “vigilante-style violence” targeting Azerbaijani citizens based on their ethnicity. A criminal investigation has been launched in Azerbaijan, with officials calling for accountability from their Russian counterparts.

The strain in bilateral relations dates back further, to December 25, 2024, when an AZAL passenger plane flying from Baku to Grozny was shot down over Chechnya by Russian air defence systems, killing all 38 people on board.

Despite repeated demands from Baku for a full investigation, a public apology, and compensation for the victims’ families, Moscow has yet to respond.

By Sabina Mammadli