Azerbaijani President’s Visit to Moscow Highlights Russia’s Role in Caucasian Security
During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev acknowledged Russia’s crucial contribution to ensuring security in the Caucasus region.
The meeting covered various issues, including economic collaboration and regional security concerns. Aliyev’s visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) railway, a Soviet-era project that former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev played a key role in constructing.
Following the talks, Putin and Aliyev joined former builders and workers at the BAM in a meeting. Both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and bolstering economic and security cooperation.
Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the progress made in addressing outstanding security issues in the region, though he did not specify the details. He emphasized Russia’s pivotal role in maintaining regional security and its reliance on cooperation between their nations.
Concurrently with Aliyev’s visit, a significant development occurred in the Southern Caucasus. Moscow announced the withdrawal of its peacekeeping force from the Azerbaijani region of Karabakh. The region, predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians, remained outside Baku’s control for several decades after breaking away from the country following the Soviet Union’s collapse.
The breakaway region, supported by Armenia, was a constant source of tension between Yerevan and Baku, resulting in repeated armed confrontations. The most recent escalation in late 2020 led to the unrecognized republic’s defeat and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers to monitor the situation and document ceasefire breaches.
