Putin: Ties with Azerbaijan will stabilize, ready to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow

President Vladimir Putin said in a Press conference on Wednesday, that the fundamentals of Russia's relationship with Azerbaijan remain strong despite a noted chill in ties between both countries.

Speaking to reporters at the end of his working visit to China to attend the SCO meeting and the culmination in a large parade to mark WW2 remembrance, Putin also said he was ready to meet Ukraine's Zelenskyy. 

He also commented on the country's ongoing stance with Azerbaijan saying that such situations were not uncommon in diplomacy.

"In relations between countries, there are always certain questions, arising either from the current situation or from a particular political conjuncture."

The Government of Azerbaijan has repeatedly made calls to Moscow to apologize and compensate the victims of Azal passenger plane which crashed in Kazakhstan in December. 

New findings made public in July appeared to show that the aircraft was shot down by Russian forces. 

Putin expressed hope for improved relations in future saying ".. but I believe that the fundamental relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and the mutual interest in their development, will, in the end, put everything in its proper place".

On ending the war in Ukraine 

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Kyiv on Wednesday that there was a chance to end the war in Ukraine via negotiations "if common sense prevails", an option he'd prefer, but that he was ready to end it by force if that was the only way.

Putin said that he perceived "a certain light at the end of the tunnel" given what he said were sincere efforts by the United States to find a settlement to Europe's biggest land war since World War Two.

"It seems to me that if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to end this conflict. That is my assumption," he told reporters in Beijing.

"Especially since we can see the mood of the current U.S. administration under President Trump, and we see not just their statements, but their sincere desire to find this solution.

"And I think there is a certain light at the end of the tunnel. Let's see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to resolve all the tasks before us by force of arms."

He said he was ready to hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy if the Ukrainian president came to Moscow, but that it remained to be seen whether such a meeting was worthwhile.

President Zelenskyy has frequently accused Russia of sabotaging peace talks and refusing to engage meaningfully in moves to end the war. 

Russia and China Energy agreement 

The planned Power of Siberia 2 pipeline would provide China with gas priced under a market formula, framing the project as a competitive advantage for the world’s top energy consumer.

Russia and China have endorsed the vast pipeline, though state energy giant Gazprom confirmed on Tuesday that pricing terms have yet to be finalised. The project has become a symbol of Moscow and Beijing’s growing energy partnership despite Western calls for China to distance itself from Russia.

Putin told reporters the project had been under discussion for years.

“The work on it lasted for some time indeed, we have been discussing it with our partners. Several routes were under consideration, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, and negotiations lasted for years,” he said.

He added that China’s rising demand for energy underpins the venture.

“Demand for energy resources is growing, including within the Chinese economy which continues to be one of the primary powerhouses of the global economy,” Putin said.

Rejecting any notion that Russia was offering China discounts, he insisted the deal would be governed by market rules.

“There is no charity involved here from either side. These are mutually beneficial agreements implemented strictly on market principles, specifically those prevailing in this region. Moreover, the price of this product is determined not by current market rates but by a predefined formula,” he said.

The Power of Siberia 2 pipeline is designed to carry Russian gas through Mongolia to China, expanding on the existing Power of Siberia route launched in 2019.

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News Politics China Russia Vladimir Putin