Peskov shared his forecasts regarding relations with Azerbaijan and the war with Ukraine

The Kremlin hopes for a quick resolution of the accumulated differences with Baku, stated Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov.

According to him, despite the current difficult period in bilateral relations, communication channels between Russia and Azerbaijan remain open, and trade and economic cooperation is growing.

Furthermore, commenting on the supply of American Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, Peskov noted Moscow's concerns, while emphasizing that they will not have a decisive impact on the course of hostilities. He also warned of escalating tensions surrounding the Ukrainian conflict.

While reaffirming Russia's readiness for a peaceful settlement, Peskov pointed to the lack of commitment from the EU and Kyiv, citing calls for negotiations from US President Donald Trump.

Relations between Moscow and Baku worsened last year after the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet, for which Aliyev blamed Russia, since, according to the prevailing theory, the plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system near Grozny.

Recently, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia met in Dushanbe for the first time in a long time, focusing on the investigation into the tragic plane crash. After ten months of silence, Putin told Aliyev in a private conversation that two missiles fired from a Russian air defense system exploded just meters from the plane. He blamed Ukrainian drones for the tragedy. The Russian president promised a legal assessment of the officials' actions and compensation.

Последние новости
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
Human rights
Russian authorities want to impose fines for wearing the niqab
25 February 2026

Deputies have introduced a bill in the State Duma banning the wearing of niqabs and any other clothing that covers the face. Examples cited include the ban on wearing such clothing in Central Asian countries.

Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
Politics
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
25 February 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Brussels' demands to join sanctions against Russia. He said these calls were inappropriate, given that the EU itself is a major importer of Russian products.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.