Vladimir Putin stated that relations between Russia and Azerbaijan were not in crisis, but merely faced a "crisis of emotions" caused by the AZAL plane crash. Commenting on the results of his visit to Tajikistan, he emphasized that Azerbaijan maintains close ties with Russia and noted the widespread use of the Russian language in the country.

"I wouldn't say we had a crisis in interstate relations; it was a crisis of emotions, and it's clear why: we were faced with the downing of an airplane, and we needed time to sort things out," Putin said.

Putin also touched on the New START Treaty (the Treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms). He said that the US refusal to extend the New START Treaty would not be critical for Moscow, as everything "is going according to plan in this regard."

"I've already spoken about this, and it's no secret: the sophistication of our nuclear deterrent is greater than that of any other nuclear state, and we are actively developing it. What I said in previous times, in previous years, is that it's all developing. We are finalizing it, and I think we'll soon have the opportunity to announce the new weapons we once announced," Putin said.

Regarding Zelenskyy's threats to strike the Kremlin with Tomahawk missiles, the Russian president dismissed them as "show-off." He also assured that if these missiles were transferred to Ukraine, Russia would strengthen its air defense system.

Relations between Moscow and Baku worsened last year after the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane, for which Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev blamed Russia. It was discovered that the plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system near Grozny.