AZE.US
Azerbaijan is prepared for a possible increase in pressure from Russia, as it has resisted Moscow’s attempts to influence the country’s domestic and foreign policy since the early years of independence, political analyst Eldar Namazov said.
Speaking on the ITON-TV YouTube channel, Namazov argued that Russia may resort to political pressure, provocations and attempts to build a “fifth column,” but modern Azerbaijan is strong enough to defend its national interests.
“We have built a sufficiently strong and resilient state. Society is highly consolidated, we have a strong army and reliable allies. Our own alliances are enough to ensure our security,” Namazov said.
According to the analyst, Baku faced pressure from Moscow as far back as the 1990s, including during negotiations over major oil contracts with Western companies. Azerbaijan nevertheless continued to pursue political and economic independence while resisting Russian efforts to preserve leverage in the region.
Namazov also linked the current deterioration in bilateral relations to the aftermath of the crash of an Azerbaijani passenger aircraft, pressure on members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia and disagreements between Baku and Moscow over regional and international issues.
Commenting on the Russia-Armenia crisis, Namazov said the Kremlin’s pressure on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government is connected not only to Armenia’s elections, but also to possible decisions involving the Russian concession over the country’s railways and the presence of Russian border guards.
In his view, Moscow fears losing its remaining instruments of influence in Armenia as Yerevan moves toward opening transport links with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Namazov said the Armenian government may seek to regain control over its railway infrastructure and reconsider the role of Russian border guards. If that happens, he argued, Russia’s military base in Armenia could also gradually lose its strategic importance.
The analyst said Azerbaijan is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared for possible attempts by Moscow to once again use the Karabakh issue as a tool of pressure against Baku.
“We have lived under this pressure since the moment we declared independence. Azerbaijan is therefore ready for such a scenario,” Namazov said.
AZE.US