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Azerbaijan Labels German-Russian Baku Talks Influence Operation

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Ilham Aliyev said German officials Ronald Pofalla and Matthias Platzeck visited Baku July 12-14 and met Russian Gazprom chair Viktor Zubkov and human-rights council Valeriy Fadeyev.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s territory was used without its knowledge but the country would welcome meeting if it helps end the Ukraine-Russia war.
German agencies called the gatherings an influence operation aimed at shaping German policy and presenting Moscow’s terms for ending the Ukraine war.

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Story summary

President Ilham Aliyev said German officials Ronald Pofalla and Matthias Platzeck visited Baku July 12-14 and met Russian Gazprom chair Viktor Zubkov and human-rights council Valeriy Fadeyev.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s territory was used without its knowledge but the country would welcome meeting if it helps end the Ukraine-Russia war.
German agencies called the gatherings an influence operation aimed at shaping German policy and presenting Moscow’s terms for ending the Ukraine war.