Baku summons Russian envoy over provocative statements targeting Azerbaijan

Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Yevdokimov was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry over what Baku described as a series of provocative, insulting, and threatening statements targeting Azerbaijan, its people, and its leadership in the Russian media and information space.

"During the meeting, the serious concern and firm protest of the Azerbaijani side regarding the provocative, insulting and threatening statements made in the media and information space of the Russian Federation in recent times against the Azerbaijani state, people and the leadership of the country were brought to the attention of the Russian side," Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said.

“In particular, attention was drawn to the statements made against our country and the leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the program broadcast on 13 August 2026 within the framework of the “Chistota Ponimaniya” project,” the ministry said in a statement.

In addition, the program broadcast on “Sputnik” radio on 7 August, the absurd claims made regarding the inclusion of the Azerbaijani leadership in “Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists”, the provocative views expressed again on the “Spas” TV channel on 16 August against the Azerbaijani leadership were reminded.

“It was emphasized that discussing the possibilities of interference in the internal political processes of the Azerbaijan and making calls for physical violence against Azerbaijani nation and Azerbaijan’s leadership are unacceptable,” the ministry added.

The ministry stated that despite the repeated calls by the Azerbaijani side to counter the aforementioned activities and the fact that the issue has been discussed at various political levels, the continuation of similar rhetoric in a harsher form is a cause for serious concern.

“During the meeting, our expectation to take urgent and effective measures to end the provocations, threats, and violent rhetoric against Azerbaijan in the information and media space was once again conveyed to the Russian side,” the statement concluded.

By Vafa Guliyeva