Countries in the post-Soviet space turn to NATO; Azerbaijan faces the risk of conflict with Russia due to its support for Ukraine

Post-Soviet Space and Turkic-speaking Countries in the South Caucasus Align with NATO: Italian Expert: Azerbaijan Risks a Rift with Russia by Supplying Weapons to Ukraine

Dr. Marco Marescotti, an Italian scholar from Ca' Foscari University of Venice, stated in a commentary to the Sputnik International Department that Azerbaijan's actions reflect its "clear shift towards strengthening its alliance with Turkey and positioning itself within the Western security system to counterbalance Russia's influence in the South Caucasus."

However, the expert emphasized that "this approach carries significant risks," as Western support is "conditional," and challenging Russia "has never been without consequences."

Marescotti said that such actions by Baku "will almost inevitably lead to deep and lasting rifts with Russia," which could mean sanctions from Moscow, support for Armenia, and information pressure.

From a security perspective, the situation will become "more unstable": Baku risks "gaining an openly hostile neighbor to the north," an increase in hybrid threats, and a deterioration of relations with Iran.

The expert concluded that this move will "drag Azerbaijan into a more rigid geopolitical camp, depriving it of multilateral diplomatic space and endangering key resources - the stability of energy security and export routes."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843978196199433/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.