Russia is Azerbaijan’s strategic partner. However, the fact that Moscow has not so far unequivocally supported Azerbaijan in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict hinders the development of this partnership, Ali Gasanov, Head of the Public and Political Department, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, stated at the Azerbaijani-Russian meeting of the roundtable on Parliaments’ role in civil society development.

“Of course, Russia can unequivocally support Azerbaijan in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. However, it has so far refrained from such a step,” Gasanov said as quoted by Trend.

The OSCE MG co-chairing countries, including Russia, refused to vote for the Azerbaijan-submitted resolution, pleading neutrality. “We cannot in any way influence Russian policy, particularly in the Russian-Armenian relations. Russia’s relations with any state must not affect Moscow-Baku relations. Azerbaijan does not view Russia’s friends or enemies as its own friend or enemies,” Gasanov said.