Aliyev Discloses Unannounced Meeting in Baku Involving Former Russian and German Officials Over Ukraine Conflict

President Ilham Aliyev has confirmed that former officials from Russia and Germany traveled to Baku in mid-July, potentially to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The disclosure was made during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Tuesday.

Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan was not formally notified of this gathering. “Flight statistics suggest that such a secret meeting took place in Baku, yet Azerbaijan received no official notification from either Germany or Russia,” Aliyev remarked. “Our territory was utilized without our prior knowledge.”

Despite the lack of communication, Aliyev expressed support for any efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. “If this meeting serves to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, we certainly welcome it,” he told Merz.

The Azerbaijani president revealed that he had ordered an investigation by the State Border Service following media speculation. The investigation confirmed the presence of several high-profile individuals in Baku. “I can confirm that this information is accurate,” Aliyev explained, identifying the participants in the discussions.

“On July 12, two prominent figures arrived in Baku on a flight from Berlin and departed on July 14: Mr. Pofalla and Mr. Platzeck,” Aliyev said. Ronald Pofalla, formerly the head of the Federal Chancellery and Minister for Special Affairs under Angela Merkel, has maintained informal diplomatic channels with Russian political figures. Matthias Platzeck is the former Minister-President of Brandenburg and a veteran figure in German-Russian cooperation efforts.

“Simultaneously, on July 12, former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and Valery Fadeyev, head of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society, arrived in Baku from Moscow,” Aliyev added. He noted that one official departed on July 13 and the other on July 14. Both Zubkov, currently the chairman of the board of Gazprom, and Fadeyev are considered members of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.

During the Berlin press conference, Chancellor Merz noted that he had no prior knowledge of the Baku meeting. However, he emphasized the ongoing diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin. “For months, we have been attempting to persuade President Putin to begin negotiations, but he has refused,” Merz stated. “The responsibility for ending this war rests entirely with the Russian government and President Putin.”

Merz expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for his shared perspective regarding the causes and potential conclusion of the war. Aliyev concluded by reiterating his nation’s stance: “The war must stop immediately. Our primary objective is to see this conflict end and for peace to be established in the region.”

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