State Duma Deputy Alexander Tolmachev sharply criticized Azerbaijan's plans to develop a strategic dialogue with Germany, effectively calling into question Baku's right to an independent foreign policy course. The reason for this was President Ilham Aliyev's announcement of plans to take relations with Berlin to a new level.

In his commentary to Lenta.ru, the parliamentarian linked rapprochement with Europe with the inevitable deterioration of relations with Russia, presenting this scenario as a proven logical consequence.

"Baku intends to follow Yerevan's path. I note that the course of distancing itself from Russia and drawing closer to Europe has never brought success to anyone. On the contrary, as experience shows, such a decision results in economic and political problems. Armenia is already struggling with the difficulties that arose from the severing of reliable, strong, and promising ties with Russia. "It's a shame that Azerbaijan isn't learning from the mistakes of Ukraine and Armenia," the MP laments.

At the same time, Tolmachev stipulates that he doesn't consider the very existence of dialogue with European countries a problem, but asserts that it inevitably leads to a rupture in relations with Russia. To support his position, the MP used emotionally charged language, without providing specific examples or evidence.

"And this isn't just about the economic aspect, but also the cultural, spiritual, and historical ones. The country is being forced to renounce its shared past and abandon a productive future with Russia. In exchange, it receives brief indulgence and a pat on the head from the 'European master.' And then the real game begins: having deprived the neighboring country of cooperation with Moscow, leaving it without protection and support, the Europeans devour it like a chess piece," Tolmachev asserts.

The reason for this harsh reaction was a statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following his visit to Berlin. Following talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the parties signed a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Agenda for Bilateral Partnership and agreed to establish an Azerbaijani-German Business Council.

Aliyev stated that Russia can no longer fully supply its partners with oil and gas, while Azerbaijan is ready to compensate for the shortage of raw materials on the European market and significantly increase their exports.

According to Aliyev, Baku hopes to initiate a strategic dialogue with Germany, which will take relations to a new level, expand cooperation, and contribute to strengthening peace and stability in the region. Merz, in turn, called the signed declaration an important step in the development of bilateral relations and confirmed Germany's readiness to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan.