Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in a one to-one meeting in the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe at the sidelines of the Russia – Central Asia Summit. During the meeting, Putin apoligised to Azerbaijan for Russia’s responsibility over the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 on December 25th last year which left up to 38 passengers and crew members dead.
The plane, which was en route from Baku to Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, was downed by Russian air defences that mistook it for a Ukrainian drone. The plance crashed in an emergency landing in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Vladimir Putin admitted responsibility in a rare act of public apology as his President Aliyev remained silent. The Kremlin also promised compensation to the victims.
President Aliyev thanked the Russian President for his apology and praised the growing trade and economic relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan, which he expressed hope would continue to strengthen. Last month, Azerbaijan arrested one of its most popular oil traders as it made efforts to clean its reputation off Russian oil. The arrest came during the same time US President Donald Trump upped his calls to Europe to stop buying Russian oil.
Tomorrow the Commonwealth of Independent States will also be holding their meeting in Tajikistan.
The press conference between President Aliyev and Putin can be viewed here.
Newsroom
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