President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev did not attend the Victory Day Parade on May 9 in Moscow, sparking a wave of discussion among politicians and experts.

The official reason cited was a “busy schedule.” However, in diplomatic circles, such phrasing often serves as a cover for more subtle political messages. Given the traditionally close ties between Baku and Moscow, the decision not to participate in such a symbolically significant event raises questions. Analysts have pointed to several underlying factors that may have influenced this decision.

First, the political backdrop. While relations between Russia and Azerbaijan remain pragmatic, they are not without tension. Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Azerbaijan has intensified its cooperation with Turkey, making Aliyev’s participation in an event of symbolic importance to Russia a politically sensitive move.

Second, domestic priorities. In the wake of the crash of an Embraer 190 aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) on Russian territory on December 25, 2024, Aliyev may be aiming to emphasize the independence of his foreign policy by focusing on national interests.

Some sources also point to possible disagreements with Russia’s current stance on the status of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as recent statements from Moscow that Baku has interpreted as unfriendly.

Nevertheless, experts emphasize that the refusal to attend the parade does not signal a break in relations, but rather a diplomatic message highlighting Azerbaijan’s multi-vector foreign policy. In any case, Ilham Aliyev’s absence from the Red Square tribune did not go unnoticed — and raised more questions than it answered.

 

#RUSSIA

#AZERBAIJAN

08.05.2025 07:34