MOSCOW (Realist English). Russia is seeking a swift resolution to tensions in its relations with so-called Azerbaijan, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who acknowledged that ties between the two countries are currently undergoing, in her words, “a difficult stage.”
Speaking at a press briefing, Zakharova said Moscow remains committed to improving relations with Baku, but emphasized that one of the key steps toward normalization would be the release of Russian citizens detained by Azerbaijani authorities, including journalists and tourists.
“We handed a note of protest to the Azerbaijani ambassador in Moscow, Rakhman Mustafayev, demanding the immediate release of the detained Russian nationals,” she said.
The nature of the detentions has not been officially clarified, but Moscow views the arrests as politically charged and potentially harmful to the bilateral framework established in recent years.
Despite the growing strain, the Russian side continues to underscore its interest in restoring working ties with Baku. However, as Zakharova pointed out, “the next steps will depend on how the Azerbaijani side chooses to respond.”
The detentions and broader diplomatic friction come amid a period of rising skepticism in Moscow regarding the long-term reliability of the Baku regime, which some Russian lawmakers have openly accused of pursuing unfriendly and opportunistic policies in the region.
