BAKU, August 30 — President Ilham Aliyev has described the Soviet takeover of Azerbaijan in 1920 as an “occupation,” a historic framing that analysts say reflects worsening relations between Baku and Moscow.
Speaking in a recent interview ahead of his visit to China, Aliyev linked Azerbaijan’s past to present geopolitical realities, stressing that the country would never agree to compromises on sovereignty or borders. He also referred to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine as an “invasion.”
Political analyst Ramiz Yunus, a former government official in Baku, told Dmitriy Gordon TV that the remarks mark the lowest point in Azerbaijani-Russian relations since independence. He noted that Aliyev’s choice of words carried unusual weight, given the timing of possible encounters with Russian President Vladimir Putin at upcoming international events.
“Aliyev outlined clear red lines,” Yunus said. “He called 1920 an occupation, described Ukraine as a victim of invasion, and signaled to Russia, the West, China, Iran, and Brussels that Azerbaijan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.”
Historical Memory and Security Shift
Analysts point out that Azerbaijan’s historical narrative has long treated April 28, 1920 as an occupation, but until now, such language had rarely been used by the head of state. The statement comes after a series of frictions with Moscow, including the downing of an Azerbaijani civilian aircraft last year and what Baku sees as hostile Russian media campaigns.
Yunus stressed that Azerbaijan’s military and diplomatic landscape has shifted since the 2020 Second Karabakh War. “Russia today lacks meaningful levers over Azerbaijan,” he said, citing the Shusha Declaration with Türkiye, NATO-standard reforms of the Azerbaijani army, and Baku’s growing partnerships with Western and regional powers.
Regional and Global Implications
Aliyev’s interview also reaffirmed Baku’s principle that regional problems should be solved by regional states. Yunus linked this to Azerbaijan’s handling of the Karabakh conflict without foreign intervention and to its ongoing support for Ukraine through humanitarian aid.
The comments come just days before Aliyev’s participation in events in China, where he could share the stage with Putin. Yunus said the timing underscores Baku’s intention to speak openly before any potential meeting.
“Even if diplomatic courtesies remain, the policy is clear,” he added. “Azerbaijan will not compromise on sovereignty, and Moscow must adjust to that reality.”
