Zatulin: Detention of Russians in Baku is a "noble" revenge

The detention of Russians in Azerbaijan is an attempt to assert themselves at the expense of Russia, said Konstantin Zatulin, first Deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots.

"The detention of Russian journalists in Azerbaijan is revenge. According to Eastern customs, revenge is a noble cause. It is difficult to understand what relation journalists have to detentions in Yekaterinburg, what responsibility they bear for this. But in this case, revenge is not for them. They are taking revenge on Russia, the country from which they came. I am convinced that the first reason for such actions is the irrepressible thirst for self-affirmation that seized Azerbaijan, especially after the victory in Karabakh. And now there is a desire to repeat the success in relation to Russia," Zatulin quotes OSN.

The deputy named the second reason for Baku's demarche.

"Before Karabakh, it was necessary to create the appearance of a particularly close relationship, a strategic partnership with Russia (the agreement was concluded in 2022. — EADaily). Apparently, now such a need has disappeared for Azerbaijan. Not for Russia, but for Azerbaijan, it has disappeared. In fact, Azerbaijan was not a strategic partner of Russia then and now. He was a strategic partner of Turkey. In some cases, it was necessary to demonstrate friendship with Russia, but at the same time Azerbaijan led an absolutely independent line, oriented not only to Turkey, but also to other Western countries. In these cases, the case concerned the post—Soviet space, Iran and other issues," Zatulin said.

According to him, now in Baku believes that Russia is not in a position to make claims to Azerbaijan. Russia is involved in a conflict with the West, with Ukraine. This is a convenient occasion for Baku to demonstrate to the West that Azerbaijan can be an ally when it comes to Russia.

"I hope that Azerbaijan is mistaken in doing so. But the fact that he does this is obvious. This is not just an accident. This is not the first time — after Azerbaijan put our peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh in the stupidest position in 2023 and captured Nagorno-Karabakh," Zatulin said.