Azerbaijan is demanding justice and accountability from Russia following the tragic downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in Kazakhstan.
Azerbaijan's President Blasts Russia Over Plane Tragedy
Azerbaijan's President Blasts Russia Over Plane Tragedy
In a stark confrontation, Azerbaijan's leader condemns Russia's handling of the plane crash that killed dozens
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has openly criticized Russia in the wake of the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane on December 25, which resulted in the loss of 38 lives. This incident, which has inflamed tensions between the two nations, indicates a significant shift in Azerbaijan's stance towards Moscow, emphasizing the latter's declining influence in the region.
During a meeting with surviving crew members and bereaved families, Aliyev expressed outrage over Russia's attempts to downplay its responsibility regarding the crash. He asserted that the mismanagement of coordination between Russian military and civilian authorities could have prevented the catastrophe. Additionally, video evidence and evaluations from Western sources suggest that the aircraft was struck by Russian air defense fire.
"We demand justice, we demand the punishment of the guilty, we demand complete transparency and decent behavior," Aliyev stated emphatically, adding that accountability lies squarely with the Russian Federation. His comments, delivered in Russian, signaled a dual motive: paying respects to the victims’ Russian-speaking relatives while also directly addressing Moscow.
Vladimir Putin offered an apology to Aliyev for the "tragic incident" shortly after the event, but fell short of admitting any direct culpability. The unexpected public fallout from this tragedy not only highlights the fragility of Russia's diplomatic relations in the post-Soviet space but also marks a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s assertive foreign policy stance.
During a meeting with surviving crew members and bereaved families, Aliyev expressed outrage over Russia's attempts to downplay its responsibility regarding the crash. He asserted that the mismanagement of coordination between Russian military and civilian authorities could have prevented the catastrophe. Additionally, video evidence and evaluations from Western sources suggest that the aircraft was struck by Russian air defense fire.
"We demand justice, we demand the punishment of the guilty, we demand complete transparency and decent behavior," Aliyev stated emphatically, adding that accountability lies squarely with the Russian Federation. His comments, delivered in Russian, signaled a dual motive: paying respects to the victims’ Russian-speaking relatives while also directly addressing Moscow.
Vladimir Putin offered an apology to Aliyev for the "tragic incident" shortly after the event, but fell short of admitting any direct culpability. The unexpected public fallout from this tragedy not only highlights the fragility of Russia's diplomatic relations in the post-Soviet space but also marks a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s assertive foreign policy stance.
