The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has sharply criticized a recent statement regarding Karabakh made by Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry. Baku noted that her remarks contradict the position that—according to the Azerbaijani side—Russia has maintained for many years.

Aykhan Hajizada, the spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, commented on the matter. He stated that the international community, including Russia, has always recognized the Karabakh region as an integral part of Azerbaijan.

"For this reason, the attempt to constantly keep on the agenda the issue of applying Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) mechanisms to Azerbaijan's sovereign territories—which were under Armenian occupation for 30 years—and linking this to the question of whether or not Armenia recognizes the Karabakh region, is not only contrary to the Russian side's official position regarding Azerbaijan's Karabakh region but is also completely baseless," the diplomat declared.

Hajizada recalled that Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with international law and that, in Baku's view, the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has been resolved.

"In this regard, the practice of interpreting issues concerning Russian-Armenian relations in connection with Azerbaijan must cease," he pointed out.

Baku's statement was prompted by remarks Maria Zakharova made on July 27 at the "Gvardeysk" youth forum: "There was the situation with Armenia, which said: 'Let's activate the CSTO mechanism.' But in essence—regarding whom and what? That territory, Karabakh, which Armenia itself did not recognize as either its own or independent." "Under such conditions, invoking the CSTO’s collective security mechanism was impossible."

This exchange of statements took place against the backdrop of persistent disagreements between Moscow and Yerevan. In recent years, Armenia has effectively minimized its participation in CSTO activities, expanded cooperation with the European Union, and declared its intention to pursue a European-oriented foreign policy. Russian authorities have repeatedly criticized these moves, warning of potential consequences for Russian-Armenian relations.