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Relations between Moscow and Baku have a solid foundation but are currently going through a difficult period, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to TASS news agency.
"A solid basis indeed exists — the countries share common interests, and mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual respect is in place. But sometimes the countries' relations face tough moments. Now is one of them," the Kremlin spokesman said.
"We hope that this period will end," Peskov emphasized, adding that "cooperation between the two countries is of mutual benefit."
In late June, Azerbaijani nationals were detained in Yekaterinburg on serious criminal charges. Baku protested against the alleged use of police violence during their arrest. In response, Azerbaijan canceled all cultural events organized by Moscow and detained Russian journalists working for the Sputnik Azerbaijan media outlet. On July 18, Azerbaijani authorities announced they would not participate in the upcoming CIS Economic Council meeting in Moscow.
"It is very important to us that Russians are respected in Azerbaijan. A very large Azerbaijani diaspora resides in Russia, and virtually all of them are law-abiding citizens who are given due respect," the Kremlin official emphasized, according to TASS.
He added that "lawbreakers are prosecuted in accordance with the law."
Earlier, media reports indicated that Baku was preparing documents to submit to international courts in connection with the Azerbaijani AZAL plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Moscow will wait official rulings should Azerbaijan file a lawsuit with international judicial bodies against Russia following the plane crash near Aktau, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated.
"An investigation is underway, the case is being examined. If Azerbaijan makes such a decision, it is Azerbaijan’s right. We will wait for official rulings," the spokesman said.
The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, flying from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25, 2024. On board were 67 people — 62 passengers, primarily Azerbaijani citizens along with nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan — and five crew members. The crash claimed 38 lives. On 26 December, Euronews reported that Azerbaijani officials had determined the plane had been hit mid-flight by a Russian missile during efforts to repel a Ukrainian drone attack on Grozny Airport.