Putin offers to mediate Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia during a state visit to the former on Monday.

Speaking after talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the capital Baku, Putin emphasized Russia's role in facilitating a peace agreement based on the trilateral accords reached in 2020 and 2022 by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.

"We are prepared to assist in the delimitation and demarcation of the border, utilizing relevant Sovietera documents, as well as in unblocking cross-border routes and establishing humanitarian contacts," Putin said in joint remarks with Aliyev.

Despite continuing crises, including the situation in Ukraine, Putin underscored Russia's historical involvement in the South Caucasus and its commitment to taking part in these efforts. He said any initiative must be primarily driven by the parties involved.

"If we can contribute to reaching a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, achieve delimitation and demarcation of the border, and unblock necessary logistics and economic routes, we would be very pleased," he added.

Business links were high on the agenda during the talks, with Aliyev announcing that $120 million had been earmarked to boost cargo transport between the two countries.

"We're talking about the possibility of transporting 15 million tons of cargo per year or more," he said, adding that the two countries crossed the $4 billion mark for Russia-Azerbaijan turnover last year and "neither of us think that is where things will stop".

Such ties are a priority for Putin, who increasingly depends on countries such as Azerbaijan to access global markets because of sanctions imposed on Moscow, independent political scientist Zardusht Alizade told The Associated Press.

"Azerbaijan is an important transit country for Russia at a time when it needs to have free access to world markets, including Iran and ports in the Indian Ocean," Alizade said.

In addition to the joint statement, six other documents were signed between the two countries' state agencies. These included three intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in food safety, plant quarantine and protection, healthcare, medical education and science.

Three memorandums of understanding were also inked, covering labor inspection, climate change and cooperation between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency.

"These documents, particularly the joint declaration of the presidents, reaffirm the friendly and allied nature of our relations," Aliyev said in a statement following the talks with Putin.

After the negotiations, Aliyev introduced Putin to the "White City" urban development project, aimed at revitalizing the eastern part of Baku. The presidents also visited the Holy Myrrhbearers Cathedral in Baku.

Putin said that after his Baku visit, he will contact Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to "tell him about the results of our negotiations".

Xinhua - Agencies