What is the purpose of Vladimir Putin's visit to Azerbaijan, which has been ongoing since Sunday?
Officially, the delegations from both countries were set to discuss bilateral relations ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, scheduled for September 1.
According to The Associated Press (AP), Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on business ties during their Baku meeting, with Aliyev announcing a $120 million investment to enhance cargo transport between their nations.
Unofficially, Putin's visit is seen as part of Moscow's effort to mediate in the ethnic and territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
There are also concerns that Putin might be discussing how to market Russian gas under the Azerbaijani name to Europe, given that the oil and gas sector accounts for over 30% of Azerbaijan's GDP.
What does Putin aim to achieve during his visit to Azerbaijan?
Independent Azerbaijani political analyst Zardusht Alizade, in a comment to the AP, emphasized that Azerbaijan is crucial for Russia’s access to global markets, including those in Iran and Indian Ocean ports.
However, the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) speculates that Putin's visit might be intended to shift focus away from the Ukrainian advance into Kursk Oblast and to enhance his reputation as a proactive diplomat.
Russian state media provided extensive coverage of Putin's visit, probably to divert attention from the "troublesome situation in Russia" by inundating the media with images of the Kremlin's international diplomatic efforts and alleged achievements, as noted in the latest ISW analysis.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva (a trained ophthalmologist and philosopher who currently serves as Vice President) hosted Putin at a private dinner in their residence.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visit the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku, Azerbaijan, 19 August 2024 (A.Gordeev PAP/EPA)
Source: IAR/PAP/X/ISW/AP
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