If one follows the principle that “a bad peace is better than a good quarrel,” then there is indeed a need to normalize relations with Azerbaijan, according to Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots.
At the same time, the politician emphasized that this does not mean Moscow should harbor illusions about the depth of such cooperation. In an interview with Lenta.ru, the deputy pointed to divergences between the two countries on a wide range of issues.
“Azerbaijan is pursuing its own course. The features of this course include the seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh and the refusal in 2023 to seek a peaceful settlement. Azerbaijan took advantage of the fact that, at that time, Armenia was led by a government that was not particularly national in character, and it implemented its plans with Turkey’s support. To achieve this, and to ensure Russia did not interfere, Azerbaijan for a time had to maintain the appearance of a strategic partnership,” Zatulin noted.
According to the deputy, once Baku’s plans were carried out, the need to coordinate anything with Russia disappeared.
“Moreover, further pressure on Armenia, the construction of the Zangezur Corridor, and the involvement of Americans, Israelis, and others in the region clearly do not correspond to the interests of the Russian Federation.
What is more, the strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan is not merely a bilateral partnership, but also a path toward the future formation of Greater Turan, an expansion into what they consider the Turkic regions of Central Asia and, incidentally, into those regions of Russia populated by Turkic peoples. This is in direct conflict with Russia’s interests and poses threats to it. Since this has now come to the forefront, Azerbaijan no longer sees any need for camouflage,” he added.
Zatulin explained that Baku is strengthening its ties with Washington and Tel Aviv as a platform against Tehran. He stated that this also runs counter to Russia’s interests, as Moscow had counted on the North–South corridor through Azerbaijan to Iran.
“I have a very clear impression that Azerbaijan is ready to take part in certain conspiracies against Iran, in an attempt to destabilize the Islamic Republic, where a significant part of the population is Azerbaijani. Aliyev does not conceal this,” the politician said.
“If one adheres to the principle that a bad peace is better than a good quarrel, I believe relations with Azerbaijan should be normalized. But this does not mean we should harbor illusions about the depth of these relations.”
