Baku's pro-Russian actions may lead to anti-Azerbaijani sanctions - A.Orujlu

Baku/12.09.22/Turan: On Friday in Baku, a representative of Azerbaijan signed a declaration with Russia and Iran on the development of the North-South transport corridor. On the same day, an international arms exhibition ended in Baku where the largest exposition belonged to Rosoboronexport whose weapons bring death in Ukraine. 

Recall that Russia is subject to Western sanctions for aggression against the peaceful country, Iran is also being punished by the West for seeking to get an atomic bomb. Azerbaijan's close ties with these countries cannot leave the leading Western states indifferent.

Turan agency asked director of the analytical center "East-West" Arastun Orujlu to assess the risks that the leadership of Azerbaijan is incurring.

"Holding an arms exhibition in Baku is a normal thing, they are held in many countries. However, the fact is that the Russia's participation in the exhibition can only entail negative consequences for our country," Orujlu said.

To his thinking, the United States has recently shown a negative reaction to Azerbaijan's policy. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken appointed the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, allocated financial assistance to the Armenians of Karabakh. This can be understood as Washington's response to Baku's pro-Russian policy.

"Azerbaijan in its foreign policy, when the world is split, does not demonstrate an unambiguous priority. It is not clear from fear or from dependence on Russia, Baku is trying to cooperate equally with the West and Moscow. Especially the demonstration of Russian weapons in Baku, the weapons that are displayed in the Baku War Trophy Park in 2020, is an extremely stupid act, the answer to which we will definitely see," he said.

And yet Orujlu expressed bewilderment at the exhibition, which presents Russian weapons: "The world sees what Russian weapons are worth according to the events in Ukraine. Russia has been cornered, even China is complying with sanctions against the Russian Federation, and suddenly it turns out that in Baku Moscow has put up weapons used against Ukraine - helicopters, armored vehicles, howitzers... What is the Azerbaijani leadership thinking about?".

Unfortunately, the expert says, we often see inexplicable actions in the activities of our authorities. Azerbaijan shows itself to be an ally of Russia and Belarus, while Ukraine unequivocally supported our people in the 44-day Karabakh war. Baku's games with Russia may cause a change in Kiev's attitude towards Baku.

Orujlu believes that official Baku must make up its mind: "The Azerbaijani leadership has no foreign policy doctrine, priorities, serious strategy. The country reacts to situational changes in an attempt to be friends with everyone. Maybe we are thinking of repeating the policy of Turkey, which supports Ukraine with weapons and repeatedly declares strategic partnership with Russia, while opposing Moscow's anti-Ukrainian statements. However, Turkey is great country, it can afford what Azerbaijan cannot afford."

"While Baku cannot prevent the Karabakh separatists "foreign minister" from visiting the USA and meeting with congressmen and universities there, this is a message to Azerbaijan from America for Baku to change its foreign policy. Here we can recall the recent seizure of the Embassy of our country in London. In considering that the Azerbaijani leadership does not understand the hints, I do not rule out that one day it will face sanctions," Orujlu concluded the interview.--0--