News - Ilham Aliyev apologized to Putin after the death of Russian peacekeepers

At the initiative of the Azerbaijani side, a telephone conversation was held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev. According to the Kremlin press service, during the call, Ilham Aliyev expressed his apologies and deep condolences regarding the tragic deaths of Russian peacekeeping personnel in Karabakh on September 20. Both leaders emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and holding those responsible accountable. The Prosecutor General's Offices of both countries are in close contact in this regard. President Aliyev also expressed his willingness to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims. Both parties underscored the significance of consistently implementing the agreements reached with the assistance of the Russian peacekeeping mission for a complete cessation of hostilities in Karabakh. The ongoing negotiations, mediated by peacekeepers, between representatives of Baku and Stepanakert were also highlighted. Priority measures for stabilizing the situation and addressing humanitarian challenges in the region were discussed. President Putin stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights and security of the Armenian population in Karabakh, and the Azerbaijani side reaffirmed its readiness to cooperate with Russian peacekeepers on these issues. Both leaders agreed to intensify efforts on the negotiation track in line with previously established trilateral agreements between 2020 and 2022. This includes steps toward unblocking transport links, delimiting the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, and preparing a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.