The Kremlin is expressing optimism ahead of the meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia in Dushanbe.

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow hopes to discuss the state of bilateral relations and resolve existing issues. He also described the recent telephone conversation between the leaders as "good, positive, and constructive."

Relations between Moscow and Baku worsened last year after the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in Aktau, for which President Ilham Aliyev blamed Russia. It was discovered that the plane was shot down by a Russian air defense system near Grozny.

Further tensions arose between the countries after the deaths of two Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg as a result of security forces' actions, which Baku classified as murder. In response, Azerbaijan detained Russian citizens, including Sputnik Baku staff.