The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has expressed dissatisfaction with Russia over the phrase “Nagorno-Karabakh” the display of respective map

"The display of a distorted map of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the use of the non-existent phrase ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’ on the map, in the Vremya Pokazhet program of the Russian state-run Channel One on May 6 is a serious provocation and unacceptable political manipulation," said Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani MFA, APA reports.

“The dissemination of outdated, false, and separatism-encouraging narratives on Russian state television, despite the statements of the Russian side that respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan has never been questioned, clearly contradicts the spirit of Azerbaijani-Russian relations, mutual respect, and good neighborliness. The irresponsible and biased approach of the state media is unacceptable. We expect clear explanations on this issue from the Russian side, as well as the adoption of necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” the Azerbaijani MFA spokesperson added.

The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has never been questioned—and not only by Russia and France, but also by Armenia. In the last case, it has always been specifically mentioned, without Nagorno-Karabakh, which had recognized independence on exactly the same grounds as Azerbaijan. As a result of the inaction of international law, Azerbaijan managed to occupy Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and expel its 150,000-strong indigenous Armenian population.