Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have agreed to hold a bilateral meeting in Tajikistan, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS, citing the Kremlin.
The decision follows a phone call on October 7, during which the two leaders discussed regional developments and cooperation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting and described Moscow’s outlook as “positive.”
The summit comes amid a period of shifting regional alignments in the South Caucasus, following Azerbaijan’s military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 and the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers earlier this year.
Why It Matters
The upcoming meeting signals an effort by Moscow and Baku to stabilize bilateral relations following recent tensions over peacekeeping withdrawal and energy cooperation. For Russia, it reflects a push to retain strategic leverage in the Caucasus as its attention remains divided by the war in Ukraine.
For Azerbaijan, the dialogue provides an opportunity to secure Russian political assurances while expanding its regional partnerships, particularly with Turkey under the framework of the Zangezur Corridor and other connectivity projects.
Diplomatically, the engagement highlights Russia’s ongoing attempt to mediate or influence post-conflict arrangements in the Caucasus, even as its broader regional authority is being challenged.
Russia: Seeking to maintain influence in the South Caucasus as its regional role faces growing competition from Turkey and Western powers.
Azerbaijan: Aiming to consolidate its territorial gains and balance relations between Moscow, Ankara, and the West.
Tajikistan: Hosting the meeting, reinforcing its position as a neutral platform for post-Soviet diplomacy.
Armenia: Though not a direct participant, it remains a key regional actor whose deteriorating ties with Russia add context to the meeting.
What’s Next
The meeting in Tajikistan is expected to focus on bilateral cooperation, regional security, and economic ties, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. Both leaders may also discuss the status of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process and future Russian involvement in border stabilization.
Analysts will watch for whether the talks yield joint statements or agreements, signaling a reset in Russia–Azerbaijan ties, or whether they remain symbolic gestures amid Moscow’s constrained diplomatic bandwidth.
With information from Reuters.
