BAKU, August 30 — Statements by Russian State Duma Defense Committee member Andrei Kolesnik, who dismissed President Ilham Aliyev’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity as “political opportunism,” amount to open sabotage against the position of the international community, Azerbaijani MP Rizvan Nabiyev told Oxu.Az.
According to Nabiyev, Kolesnik’s words reflect Russia’s growing isolation and political deadlock.
“Azerbaijan’s position coincides with that of the overwhelming majority of the international community and is based on the recognized principles of international law. As a country that endured the occupation of its territories by Armenia and its backers for 30 years, Azerbaijan has consistently defended territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders. Thanks to the deliberate strategy and diplomatic steps of President Ilham Aliyev, that military occupation was ended, creating a new political reality in the region,” Nabiyev stressed.
The deputy also commented on Kolesnik’s claim that Russia’s “only allies are its army and navy,” saying it underscored why trust in Moscow has eroded both regionally and globally.
“If diplomatic relations are measured solely by military force, this indicates a profound political crisis. It seems some in Russia still cling to Soviet-era thinking, where military intervention and occupation were used as substitutes for international law,” Nabiyev said.
He emphasized that Azerbaijan continues to build relations with all partners, including Russia, on the basis of mutual respect, cooperation, and international legal norms.
“President Aliyev’s policy is independent, rooted in national interests, and enjoys broad recognition from the international community as a policy of peace, stability, and equal partnership,” the MP concluded.
Kolesnik’s remarks came in response to Aliyev’s recent statement that Azerbaijan has supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity “from the very first days of the Russian invasion” and continues to do so. The Russian lawmaker characterized the stance as a short-term calculation, claiming it offered “immediate benefit” but risked long-term losses.
