In a statement posted on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s treatment of Azerbaijani citizens, describing it as “open mockery and a threat to the country.”
“I expressed our condolences to Azerbaijan in connection with the killing of the Safarov brothers on Russian territory,” the Ukrainian leader wrote. “I am confident that all the facts will become clear and that justice is needed. President Aliyev and I share the same view: every person’s life and dignity must be protected.”
The two presidents also discussed bilateral relations, including cooperation in the energy and humanitarian sectors. They agreed to convene a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and to deepen ties between their governments.
The phone call follows a series of developments that have heightened tensions between Baku and Moscow. On June 27, Russian security forces detained over 50 Azerbaijani nationals, reportedly in connection with a murder case dating back to 2001. According to Russian media, some detainees were later released after questioning, while others were placed in pretrial detention and charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder allegedly committed in 2001, 2010, and 2011. Two individuals reportedly died in custody.
In response, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Baku, Pyotr Volkov, on June 29. The ministry demanded a full investigation and the swift prosecution of those responsible.
Tensions escalated further on July 1, when Azerbaijani police conducted a raid on the Baku office of Sputnik Azerbaijan, a local branch of the Russian state-affiliated media outlet. According to reports, two individuals affiliated with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) were detained during the operation.
