At the CIS Summit in Dushanbe, an unexpected moment between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev changed the tone of the entire event.
In a rare admission, Russia’s leader publicly apologised for the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet in 2024, which claimed 38 lives. Calling it a “tragic technical failure,” Putin pledged full compensation and accountability. President Aliyev accepted the apology but emphasised the need for transparency and justice.
The exchange drew quiet respect from other CIS heads of state and quickly overshadowed the summit’s planned agenda on trade, security, and the proposed “CIS Plus” framework — an initiative aimed at expanding cooperation beyond existing members. Tajikistan, as host, sought to underline its growing regional importance and ability to mediate complex relations across Eurasia.
Join Guy Shone on NewsHour as he crosses live to Dushanbe for on-the-ground analysis, followed by expert insights from Ayshan Aslan-Mammadli of Baku State University. From apology to reform, the Dushanbe summit may prove a defining moment in post-Soviet diplomacy.
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