Following the President’s meeting in Astrakhan, the Azerbaijani leadership’s position testifies the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries, particularly Russia, expecting concessions from Baku at Astana Summit, found itself in a situation “give the wolf the best food, but he would hanker for the wood”, Hayots Ashkharh daily writes.

The general principles proposed by RF President and supported by U.S. and France to reach a mutual understanding are torpedoed by Azerbaijani authorities since the very day they were formulated.

…. Meanwhile, according to the Azerbaijani side, constructiveness of the Armenia’s stance should undergo changes until OSCE Summit in Astana.  It suggests Baku “takes” Russian President’s optimism in a very peculiar way, particularly considering it as a prospect for the change of Armenia’s position under the pressure of mediator countries, specifically Russia.

In this context, it is noteworthy Azeri President’s statement in Ukraine and Defense Minister Safar Abiyev’s statement as new attempts of blackmail policy. Certainly, the tone of this Azeri frustrated serviceman is not that warlike, but this does not change the substance of the issue, as Azerbaijan fails to refrain from use of force. Moreover, the Azerbaijani side keeps on firing at Karabakh defensive positions in the line of contact of NKR-Azerbaijan armed forces.