Azerbaijani President Reacts to Western Politicians' Criticism
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev commented on the accusations against the country during his speech at the international climate summit in Baku. According to him, two years ago, Azerbaijan and the European Commission signed an agreement on strategic partnership.
 
“But it was not our idea. It was a proposal from the European Commission. The President of the European Commission came to Baku and signed this document with us. Because they needed our gas,” Aliyev noted.
 
He also addressed those who tried to boycott the summit: “I have bad news for them. 72,000 participants from 169 countries, including 80 presidents and vice presidents, gathered in Baku. The world gathered in Baku.”
 
Aliyev also said that Baku is facing fake news, mainly spread by media from fossil fuel producing countries. He stressed that oil and gas are natural gifts and national resources and countries should not be criticized for their presence and global demand for them.
 
“Blaming us for having oil is the same as blaming us for having 265 sunny days a year. Azerbaijan’s share in global oil and gas production is 0.7% and 0.9%. At the same time, the fake media of the country with the largest share of oil and gas production call us a “petrostate”. I would recommend them to talk about themselves or their closest neighbor, who are also in the top ranks of hydrocarbon production,” the president was indignant.
Последние новости
Erdogan and Aliyev discussed strengthening ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan
Politics
Erdogan and Aliyev discussed strengthening ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan
18 April 2026

Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev held bilateral talks at the 5th Anatolian Diplomatic Forum, discussing the development of relations between the countries and key regional challenges.

Pashinyan called for pro-Russian opposition parties to be barred from entering the Armenian parliament
Politics
Pashinyan called for pro-Russian opposition parties to be barred from entering the Armenian parliament
17 April 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan openly stated his desire to prevent the pro-Russian opposition party "Strong Armenia" and the "Armenia" bloc from entering parliament in the 2026 elections. He accused the opposition members of simulating work and coming to parliament only to collect salaries. These remarks came amid the arrests of representatives of "Strong Armenia" on charges of vote-buying.

The Ingush Ministry of Internal Affairs reported corruption crimes with damages amounting to almost a billion rubles
Society
The Ingush Ministry of Internal Affairs reported corruption crimes with damages amounting to almost a billion rubles
17 April 2026

Ingush Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kotov reported to the People's Assembly deputies on the fight against economic and corruption crimes in the republic. In 2025, law enforcement officers uncovered more than 250 such cases, with total damages amounting to almost a billion rubles.

Chechnya sent more humanitarian aid to Dagestan
Society
Chechnya sent more humanitarian aid to Dagestan
17 April 2026

At the direction of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the Akhmad Kadyrov Foundation provided large-scale charitable assistance to residents of three Dagestani villages—Adillotar, Kadyrotar, and Tutlar—in the Khasavyurt district, affected by the recent flooding. More than 4,000 people live in these villages, and the disaster destroyed 457 of 538 households.