Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku yesterday for a two-day state visit, Russian news agencies reported. Russian television broadcast images of the Russian president’s plane as it arrived in Baku in the evening. His visit to the Caucasus country, a close partner of both Moscow and Turkiye but also a major energy supplier to Western countries, comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented Ukrainian military offensive on Russian soil.
Putin is due to hold talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on bilateral relations and “international and regional problems”, the Kremlin said.
The two leaders dined yesterday evening at the Azerbaijani president’s official residence, local official news agency Asertac said.
Today, Aliyev and Putin will sign joint documents and make statements to the press, said Russian agency Ria Novosti.
Putin will also lay a wreath on the tomb of Heydar Aliyev, father of the current leader, who was president from 1993-2003.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev (right) next to his wife Mehriban Aliyeva meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) at their home in Baku yesterday. (AFP)
