Aliyev Confirms July 12-14 Secret Baku Ukraine Talks as Merz Denies German Knowledge
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 21
Aliyev Confirms July 12-14 Secret Baku Ukraine Talks as Merz Denies German Knowledge
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 21
Summary
Aliyev said flight records confirmed former German and Russian officials met secretly in Baku on July 12-14 to discuss possible ways to end the Ukraine war.
Azerbaijan learned of the talks only afterward, he said, adding the meeting used its territory without the authorities' knowledge and that Baku was not present for the discussions.
Media reports said the German side included Ronald Pofalla and Matthias Platzeck, while the Russian side included Valery Fadeyev and former prime minister Viktor Zubkov, now Gazprom chairman.
Merz, appearing with Aliyev in Berlin, said he was unaware of any such meeting, leaving both the participants and purpose unconfirmed by Germany or Russia beyond Aliyev's account.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan would welcome any unofficial channel that could help end Russia's war against Ukraine despite the secrecy surrounding the Baku contacts.