Aliyev Cancels Trip to Moscow for Victory Parade
Photo: Press Service of the President of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9, Orda.kz reports, citing Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
According to Ushakov, Aliyev canceled his visit due to domestic commemorations:
“They explained that he had to take part in domestic events dedicated to Heydar Aliyev.”
Russian State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova also commented on the decision, suggesting that Azerbaijan may be holding its own commemorative events:
We immediately, of course, begin to see conspiracy theories in this. At the same time, maybe he is going to hold his own parades, his own events related to May 9. His presence is also necessary in the country to raise the patriotic spirit, there are important domestic events.
Notably, the December 25 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan’s Aqtau has altered Baku and Moscow's relations. Following the incident, which Azerbaijan attributes to Russian "ground fire" and electronic warfare interference near Grozny, Aliyev demanded:
- An official admission of responsibility
- Punishment for those responsible
- Compensation to the victims and Azerbaijan
While Vladimir Putin has twice called Aliyev and ordered an investigation, Azerbaijan reportedly found these steps insufficient.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the calls and emphasized:
"We are interested in a completely objective and impartial investigation to determine the causes of this disaster."
In March, Azerbaijan prepared an appeal to an international court. Russia is conducting its own parallel investigation.
Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith will also miss the parade, citing COVID-19 concerns. The country will be represented by its foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Kazakh President Qassym-Jomart Toqayev has confirmed his attendance in Moscow:
I hope to meet during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. I accepted the invitation with great pleasure. Here, of course, we have also planned events related to this historical date. But we will have time to hold them on the 7th and 8th, and after the internal events are completed, I will fly to Moscow to take part in the work.
Original Author: Alina Pak
Latest news
- Shymkent Also Needs an LRT, Transport Ministry Says
- Kazakhstan Finds Alternative to Druzhba for Oil Exports
- Kazakhstan Delays Launch of Stadler Railcars Once More
- Kazakhstan Plans to Move Phone IMEI Verification Under State Control
- Officials Say Aitu Is Freer Than Russia’s MAX and Has Over 1 Million Users
- Kazakhstan’s Stock Market Grew Faster Than Major Western Indexes
- Mortality From Water and Hygiene Risks Increases in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Uses AI to Track Illegal Construction
- New Almaty Square Opens Where Nazarbayev’s Residence Once Stood
- Israel Looks To Open Direct Flights To Kazakhstan
- Astana Akim Says LRT Line Is Almost Ready for Launch
- Kazakhstan Stops Shipments of Infected Grain and Seeds From Russia
- Why Kazakhstan Has Too Many Teacher Graduates and Too Few Qualified Ones
- Stronger Tenge Cools Demand for Cash Dollars in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Tightens Rules on Business Assets for Contract Servicemen
- Kazakhstan Approves New Rules for the Protection of Monuments and Historic Sites
- Kazakhstan Launches New System to Respond to Bullying and Violence Against Children
- Personal Data of Kazakhstanis Was Sold Online to Debt Collectors and MFIs
- Bolashak Scholarships Went to Students Who Did Not Meet the Criteria, Audit Says
- Nearly 20 Billion Tenge Was Spent on Expelled Students, Audit Says
