WSJ: Azerbaijan Sets Conditions For The Kremlin

The Kremlin is losing influence in the post-Soviet space.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of trying to hide its role in the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, issuing a harsh condemnation that signals a change in the balance of power that has long allowed Moscow to rule over former Soviet republics.

The Wall Street Journal writes about it, analyzing the events after the crash of the Embraer 190 passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near Aktau, which killed 38 people.

Aliyev said that Azerbaijan put forward conditions to the Kremlin, demanding that Russia take responsibility for the cause of the crash, provide compensation to the country and the families of the victims, and bring to justice those responsible for the downing of the plane. Earlier, the Russian dictator on Saturday in a telephone conversation apologized to the Azerbaijani leader for the "tragic incident" that occurred in Russian airspace, but did not take responsibility.

"On Sunday, Aliyev said that the apology was not enough. On Sunday, the leaders of the two countries spoke again. Mutual accusations represent one of the biggest confrontations between Russia and the leaders of former Soviet territories, whom it once treated no more than subordinates in its strategic backyard, ”the WSJ writes.

It is also noted that the dispute illustrates the weakening of Moscow's power and influence in the region after its invasion of Ukraine.

In his statements, Aliyev did not show the respect and diplomacy that were characteristic of Azerbaijan's relations with Russia. Resentment in Azerbaijan over the plane crash demonstrates the weakening of Russia's power in the ranks of its former empire and beyond after the war against Ukraine.

“The quarrel with Azerbaijan shows Moscow's loss of influence closer to home,” the article reads.

And as Moscow's influence wanes, the levers of control that the Kremlin possessed are slipping away. The author of the publication also recalls the spoiled relations of Russia with Armenia. And due to the fact that the future of relations with Azerbaijan is in doubt, Moscow risks losing its grip on the South Caucasus. At the same time, "Turkey's growing power in the region violates the status quo," especially in Azerbaijan.

Russia's loss of Azerbaijan could damage Moscow's relations with Turkey, analysts say.

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