MOSCOW (Realist English). Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, has urged the Russian government to reassess all aspects of its relations with the so-called Republic of Azerbaijan, warning against continued illusions of strategic partnership with Baku.
“There’s no need to discard previously reached agreements — even those that portray our relations with Azerbaijan in a positive light,” Zatulin told RTVI. “But we must clearly assess how relevant these agreements are today.”
The veteran lawmaker called for a realistic appraisal of Moscow’s position in the South Caucasus, emphasizing that Russia should “stop deceiving itself and the public” by clinging to the idea of a strategic alliance with Azerbaijan.
Zatulin also expressed skepticism about the prospect of improving ties with Armenia as long as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan remains in office, stating that hopes for normalization under current conditions are misplaced.
“We must draw appropriate conclusions,” he said. “Everyone involved in this process must be guided by a sober assessment of the situation — not by naïve assumptions that it’s better to stay out of it just because our resources are currently focused elsewhere.”
His remarks reflect mounting concern in Moscow over Baku’s growing alignment with Western and regional actors hostile to Russian interests, including its deepening military and intelligence cooperation with Israel and Turkey.
Zatulin’s call for a strategic revision of bilateral ties marks one of the strongest signals yet from the Russian political establishment that patience with the Baku regime may be wearing thin.
