AZE.US
Azerbaijani lawmaker Rasim Musabekov has rejected criticism from members of Russia’s State Duma over Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov’s recent visit to Ukraine, saying Baku has been open about its position on the war.
Musabekov made the remarks during an appearance on the YouTube channel Novosti Kavkaza.
He noted that Bayramov’s trip to Kyiv had been announced before the Azerbaijani foreign minister visited Moscow. The visit, he said, was neither unexpected nor conducted in secrecy.
During the trip, Bayramov visited Irpin, reviewed humanitarian reconstruction projects supported by Azerbaijan and laid flowers at a memorial to Ukrainians killed in the war.
“Azerbaijan does not obscure its position,” Musabekov said. “In this conflict, we believe Ukraine is the party defending itself. Ukraine did not attack Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine.”
The lawmaker said criticism voiced by individual Russian parliamentarians would not determine Azerbaijan’s relations with Kyiv.
“If someone tries to reproach us, we can simply remind them that Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories and conducted war on Azerbaijani soil,” Musabekov said.
He also alleged that Russia had continued supporting Armenia during the conflict, including through arms supplies transported via Iran.
“Russia cannot reproach us over our relations with Ukraine,” he added. “If it does, it will receive an answer.”
Musabekov also pointed to the long history of defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. He said Kyiv became an important supplier of military equipment to Baku after the First Karabakh War, when Azerbaijan had limited resources and few options for purchasing modern weapons.
According to the lawmaker, Azerbaijan acquired T-72 tanks, Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems, Tochka tactical missile systems and MiG-29 fighter jets from Ukraine.
Musabekov said Ukraine remains an important potential partner because of the experience its military has gained in drone warfare, counter-drone defense and the development of systems designed to intercept ballistic missiles.
“Ukraine is of interest to us, especially considering that Turkey also cooperates with Ukraine in the defense industry,” he said.
The lawmaker suggested that cooperation among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ukraine could develop further, while stressing that Baku does not need to join a new formal military alliance.
Azerbaijan already has an alliance with Turkey and close relations with Pakistan, he said. Joining a broader bloc would not necessarily provide significant additional security but could restrict Baku’s diplomatic flexibility.
Musabekov argued that maintaining this flexibility allows Azerbaijan to cooperate with different regional powers while preserving relations with Ukraine, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other partners.
AZE.US