Promise does not equal marriage: Azerbaijan backtracks. Khazin says Kremlin's actions are successful

Azerbaijan has gone back on its word. Mikhail Khazin said that the Kremlin successfully thwarted a potential provocation by the West using Baku for its own interests, he said, "A promise is not a marriage."

Economist Mikhail Khazin said on the "Voice of Moscow" radio program that attempts to involve Russia in an intense conflict with Azerbaijan ended in failure. In his view, the Kremlin showed restraint, thereby gaining a strategic advantage in a complex diplomatic situation.

The expert believes that Azerbaijan's anti-Russian campaign was no coincidence, it is part of a broader plan aimed at stirring up the Middle East situation while creating trouble for Russia's southern border.

Khazin is convinced that this is about preparing for the second round of confrontation between Iran and Israel. But he said that this plan ultimately turned out to be just a feint. The expert believes that the recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump was an important turning point, after which the threat of large-scale conflict in the region decreased.

Khazin believes that Russia did not fall into the provocation trap, thus achieving victory. He emphasized that Moscow's choice of restraint, not responding to hostile statements, was the right decision:

"The purpose was to provoke us to intervene. And we didn't intervene — thus achieving another victory."

This economist added that Baku has begun to realize the consequences of its previous actions, including trying to act in the interests of its Western partners. For example, there is suspicion about the drone routes used by Iran to attack Israel and the United States. Khazin believes that Azerbaijan has been involved in a dangerous game according to the British script, hoping to gain geopolitical benefits, but these benefits have not materialized.

He said that London may have promised Baku to allow it to gain territorial benefits from Iran and Armenia, and to exert financial pressure through the assets of Azerbaijani elites abroad. However,

"A promise is not a marriage."

An obvious signal that Baku is trying to ease its position relates to Russian schools. Previously, media reports suggested that these schools might be closed, causing concerns. However, on July 10, Azerbaijani Education Minister Emin Amraev officially denied these rumors, stating that the government had not considered closing schools that teach in Russian.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526447496635908650/

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