Turkey's President Erdogan addresses the dispute between Russia and Azerbaijan
The relations between Azerbaijan and Russia are currently strained due to a series of incidents that have occurred over the past year.
A significant incident took place in December 2024, when a Russian missile defense unit reportedly shot down an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft near the Georgia-Russia border, resulting in the deaths of 38 civilians. Despite a statement of regret from Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijan has been seeking legal action and acknowledgment from Russia.
In late June 2025, dozens of ethnic Azerbaijanis were arrested in Russia for alleged involvement in organized crime, resulting in the suspicious deaths of two detainees. This incident has further strained relations between the two countries.
Azerbaijan has also taken action against Russian media, raiding the offices of Sputnik Azerbaijan and arresting its editor-in-chief and director on espionage charges. This move is seen as part of Baku's efforts to reduce Russian influence in the region.
In an effort to counterbalance Russian influence, Azerbaijan is strengthening its cooperation with Turkey.
Turkey, with its deep diplomatic and strategic relations with both Azerbaijan and Russia, has been actively involved in regional diplomacy, particularly in the South Caucasus. The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been closely monitoring the tension between Azerbaijan and Russia, calling on both sides to exercise restraint and expressing his belief that the issue will be resolved more easily and reasonably through statements that will ease diplomatic tension.
On July 1, eight Russians were arrested in Baku on charges of drug trafficking from Iran, online trading of banned substances, and cyber fraud. Despite the ongoing tension, both Russia and Azerbaijan have expressed a desire for cooperation. Five employees of the Azerbaijani branch of Sputnik, citizens of Azerbaijan, were released under a pledge not to leave on July 3.
The Turkish side's priority is to prevent a sudden escalation in the tension between Moscow and Baku. Erdogan emphasized that the Turkish side intends to continue moving towards a solution. While specific details on Turkey's diplomatic efforts to resolve the current situation are not widely reported, Turkey's diplomatic strategy often involves supporting Azerbaijan, engaging with Russia, and promoting regional stability.
Turkey's efforts to maintain good relations with both Azerbaijan and Russia while promoting regional stability are crucial in preventing a sudden escalation of the current tension between the two countries.
In the realm of war-and-conflicts and general-news, the incident in December 2024, where a Russian missile defense unit reportedly shot down an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft, led to diplomatic tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Azerbaijan seeking legal action. Meanwhile, in politics, the arrest of dozens of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russia in late June 2025 and the subsequent suspicious deaths of two detainees have further strained relations between the two countries.
