Azerbaijan slams Russian envoy’s remarks, demands TASS correction

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has issued a strong rebuke to recent remarks made by Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, regarding the removal of a bust of Russian-Armenian painter Ivan Aivazovsky in Khankendi.

The ministry also condemned the Russian state news agency TASS for referring to the city as “Stepanakert,” calling it an insult to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Responding to local media inquiries, MFA Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada did not mince words, accusing Shvydkoy of participating in an “anti-Azerbaijani campaign” under political instructions, Caliber.Az reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

“It is not the first time that Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation, has joined the anti-Azerbaijani campaign based on certain instructions,” Hajizada stated.

The spokesperson clarified that the bust of Aivazovsky, whose real name was Hovhannes Aivazian, was installed “illegally” by Russian peacekeepers without Azerbaijan’s consent and therefore its removal was both legal and appropriate.

“This represented a clear manifestation of disrespect by Russia towards the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The removal of such so-called monuments, which were unlawfully erected during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, is logical, legitimate, and fully in line with the law,” he said.

Addressing Shvydkoy’s accusations that Azerbaijan was engaging in a “war on monuments” and attempting to “cancel” Russian culture, Hajizada pushed back strongly.

“Mr. Shvydkoy’s allegations about the so-called ‘cancellation’ of Russian culture in Azerbaijan are nothing but another lie. Despite the significant disparity in this field between the two countries, Russian culture has not been canceled in Azerbaijan. For example, while there are Russian-language theaters, schools, and publications in Azerbaijan, there are no Azerbaijani-language theaters, schools, newspapers, or magazines in Russia. Despite this disparity, we do not make allegations about the ‘cancellation’ of Azerbaijani culture in Russia. However, high-ranking Russian officials should be aware that if their anti-Azerbaijani actions and statements continue, this disparity in cultural representation may be addressed and adjusted by Azerbaijan accordingly.”

Hajizada also criticised Shvydkoy for remaining silent during his visit to the liberated Azerbaijani city of Shusha, where evidence of Armenian vandalism against Azerbaijani cultural monuments is widespread.

“It is also regrettable that during Mr. Shvydkoy’s recent visit to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, particularly to the city of Shusha, where he witnessed the vandalism committed against the monuments of Azerbaijani cultural figures such as Natavan, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Bulbul, and others—as well as the widespread destruction on Azerbaijani territory—he failed to show the courage to publicly condemn these acts.”

Turning to the issue of terminology used by the Russian press, Hajizada condemned TASS for referring to Khankendi as “Stepanakert.”

“The reference to the city of Khankendi as ‘Stepanakert’ by TASS, the official state news agency of the Russian Federation, is considered as an act of disrespect and insult to the territorial integrity of our country.”

He went on to explain the historical context of the name “Stepanakert,” noting its association with Bolshevik leader Stepan Shaumyan, whom Azerbaijan holds responsible for massacres against its people.

“We would like to remind the Russian side that the renaming of the city of Khankendi to ‘Stepanakert’ in 1923 in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast—unlawfully created on the historical lands of Azerbaijan—was a disrespect to Azerbaijan, as it was named in honor of Bolshevik Stepan Shaumyan, who, together with Dashnak Armenians, carried out massacres against the Azerbaijani people.”

The spokesperson warned that if such actions persist, Baku may respond in kind.

“We expect the Russian side to cease the distortion of Azerbaijani toponyms and the use of names adopted by the former separatist puppet regime to refer to our territories. If such actions continue, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, Azerbaijan may refer to various toponyms in Russia by their historical names.”

The statement concluded with a direct demand for correction from TASS:

“We expect an apology and an appropriate correction from the TASS News Agency on this matter. Otherwise, in accordance with the law, relevant measures will be taken regarding TASS’s operations in Azerbaijan.”

By Vugar Khalilov