"Chapter closed": Putin aims to strengthen Russia–Azerbaijan ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are set to move forward, following recent discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe. 

Responding to a journalist’s question about whether bilateral relations had faced a crisis, Putin emphasised that there had been no such rupture, Caliber.Az reports.

“I wouldn’t even call it a crisis in intergovernmental relations. If it were, we wouldn’t have seen continued growth in trade and economic ties, which, despite the challenges, have been significant,” he said.

Putin acknowledged that emotions had been strained following a tragic event involving the loss of an aircraft and its passengers. “It was a very heavy, tragic event, and naturally, it caused a temporary emotional crisis.

We needed time to address it properly, conduct complex technical investigations, retrieve and analyse the black boxes, and reconcile all data provided by the Ministry of Defence and air traffic services, both ours and Kazakhstan’s. This required meticulous, responsible, professional work,” he added.

Recalling his own experience during legal studies at Leningrad University, Putin said such investigations are painstaking and leave no room for error.

“We have now completed the essential investigative work, including international oversight by ICAO, using all available materials. Any remaining details will be formalised by specialists,” he said.

Looking ahead, Putin expressed optimism: “I hope we have turned this page and can now move forward without complications, developing our contacts and realising the substantial plans we share in logistics, industrial cooperation, and humanitarian areas.

Azerbaijani society’s widespread Russian-language proficiency shows a fundamental, enduring commitment to developing relations with Russia. Emotions are inevitable, but they should not hinder progress. I believe this chapter is behind us.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev