The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, during a meeting at a residence on the outskirts of Baku
Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS
The Kremlin is vigorously trying to become an arbiter in the disputes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, both over the future of Nagorno-Karabakh and its Armenian population (who fled the Azerbaijani army last fall) and over the border disputes between the two countries.
Russia’s formal ally, Armenia, opposes this, pointing out that neither the Kremlin nor its military alliance ODKB (to which Yerevan still belongs) helped it in the last two wars with Baku. Azerbaijan does not oppose it, knowing that the Kremlin will not be allowed to negotiate without Yerevan’s consent anyway.
in Pobierz terazn “}]” >
Little space for Russian consuls
But the Russians are not giving up and before Putin’s arrival in Baku it turned out that they want to establish their own consulate in Nagorno-Karabakh. Such representations are needed in the case of large passenger traffic or developed economic contacts, neither of which applies to Karabakh.
– In Azerbaijan itself, the space for consulates is quite limited… – wondered Azerbaijani ambassador to Moscow Polad Bjulbjul-ogli.
