Moscow, August 30, 2025 — Russian journalist and political commentator Maxim Shevchenko has described the recent Shusha conference, which triggered controversy in Russian–Azerbaijani relations, as a “deliberate provocation” aimed at undermining trust between Moscow and Baku.
Speaking in a long-form interview, Shevchenko argued that the event, held in the liberated Karabakh city, “was less a forum than an extended press conference with President Ilham Aliyev”, but this year it was hijacked by symbolic gestures that played directly into geopolitical tensions.
“The presentation of Ukrainian chevrons and the presence of Dmitry Gordon — a figure convicted in Russia in absentia — turned the gathering into a trap for Russian participants,” Shevchenko said. “Both Sergey Markov and Mikhail Gusman became hostages of that provocation.”
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While praising Azerbaijan’s hospitality and the symbolic importance of Karabakh’s reconstruction, Shevchenko stressed that such theatrics damaged Russian–Azerbaijani ties. He suggested the episode was orchestrated by “forces interested in driving a wedge” between the two countries.
According to Shevchenko, the fallout — which included Markov being labeled a “foreign agent” in Russia — should not obscure the deep, centuries-old human and cultural connections binding Russians and Azerbaijanis. “Millions of Azerbaijanis live and work in Russia, not as a diaspora but as part of a shared historical and intellectual space,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Shevchenko expressed cautious optimism that relations are stabilizing again, citing the resumption of high-level contacts and joint projects such as trilateral energy cooperation with Iran. But he warned that both sides must remain vigilant against external manipulation.
“Shusha was designed to spoil. But Russian–Azerbaijani ties are far deeper than one provocation,” Shevchenko said.
