The acute phase of the crisis is behind us: Ambassador Rahman Mustafayev on the restoration of relations between Baku and Moscow
Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Rahman Mustafayev said in an interview with Lenta.ru that the acute phase of the crisis in bilateral relations is already behind us, and noted a return to positive dynamics based on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance, relying on the Declaration of February 22, 2022, and telephone conversations between the presidents of the two countries.
Speaking about problematic issues, the diplomat pointed to the negative information background regarding Azerbaijan on the part of some Russian bloggers, experts, and media, emphasizing that Baku is counting on a principled reaction from Moscow to offensive and provocative statements. Serious concern, according to him, is caused by pressure on the leaders and representatives of the Azerbaijani community in Russia, cases of their deprivation of citizenship without due observance of the laws, as well as the tragic incident in Yekaterinburg. According to the ambassador, Baku would like to see more effective measures to protect the rights of compatriots, regarding the diaspora as an important bridge of rapprochement between the peoples.
Regarding Ukraine, Mustafayev confirmed Baku's unchanged position, based on support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders, which cannot be changed by force. Commenting on Azerbaijan's possible role as a platform for contacts on a settlement, he noted that Baku would consider corresponding proposals if they prove to be in demand.
Concerning the AZAL plane crash in December 2024, the ambassador reported that all issues, including the payment of compensation, were fully settled in April 2025 in accordance with the agreements of the leaders of the two countries in Dushanbe, and this sad page has been closed.
As confirmation of the restoration of bilateral ties, the diplomat cited statistics on high-level visits: over seven months of 2026, 30 of them took place (for comparison — 20 in the crisis year of 2025 and 66 in 2024). Intergovernmental dialogue, interregional cooperation with Russian regions, cultural and humanitarian cooperation (including more than 30 events), and mutual support for candidates in international organizations have intensified. In addition, a decision was made to restore direct AZAL flights between Baku and three cities in Russia.
As potential points of growth in the future, the ambassador named the development of trade and investment, joint projects, solving the problem of the shallowing of the Caspian Sea, expanding the tourist flow, as well as the teaching of the Azerbaijani language and the opening of schools with an ethnocultural component in regions where Azerbaijanis live compactly in Russia.
