Energy Pivot: Baku Replaces Moscow
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, made a firm statement: Russia has lost the ability to fully supply its traditional partners with oil and gas. The head of the Azerbaijani state directly proposed that Berlin consider Baku as an alternative supplier of energy resources.
According to Aliyev, traditional supply chains have been disrupted. In particular, he noted that due to the shutdown of Russian oil refineries, Russia cannot export oil products in previous volumes. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan is ready to significantly increase gas exports to the European region, with a special emphasis on supplies to Germany.
Shadow Negotiations and Baku's Stance
During the conversation, Aliyev also touched upon the topic of unofficial diplomacy. He reported that a meeting between representatives of Russia and Germany took place in Azerbaijan without the knowledge of the country's official authorities. Baku has adopted a wait-and-see position: if the goal of these contacts was to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, then Azerbaijan is ready to welcome such a step.
