Key facts
- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev confirmed former Russian and German officials met in Baku in mid-July.
- Aliyev stated Azerbaijan was unaware of the meeting and its territory was used without knowledge.
- The meetings may have involved discussions regarding the war in Ukraine.
- Former German officials Ronald Pofalla and Matthias Platzeck were in Baku from July 12-14.
- Former Russian officials Viktor Zubkov and Valery Fadeyev were in Baku from July 12-14.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he had no prior knowledge of the meeting.
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has confirmed that former Russian and German officials convened in Baku in mid-July for a meeting that may have focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan's authorities were neither notified nor aware of the gathering, asserting that the country's territory was utilized without their knowledge.
Aliyev revealed the details during a press conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He explained that flights statistics suggested the secret meeting took place, and that Azerbaijan received no notification from either Germany or Russia. Following media reports, Aliyev ordered an investigation by the State Border Service, which confirmed the information.
Specific individuals named include former German officials Ronald Pofalla, who previously served as head of the Federal Chancellery, and Matthias Platzeck, a former Minister-President of Brandenburg. From the Russian side, former Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and Valery Fadeyev, head of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, were reportedly involved. Pofalla and Platzeck arrived in Baku on July 12 and departed on July 14, while Zubkov and Fadeyev were in Baku between July 12 and July 14.
Chancellor Merz stated he had no information about the alleged meeting but emphasized Germany's ongoing efforts to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to initiate peace negotiations. Merz noted that Putin continues to refuse such talks. Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's goal for the war to end and for peace to be secured in the region.