The visit takes place amid rising tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia
On July 2, 2025, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for the city of Baku on a state visit at the invitation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Mirziyoyev’s visit program in Azerbaijan
According to the official program, on July 2–3 in the Azerbaijani capital, the second meeting of the High-Level Intergovernmental Council will take place, along with other high-level events.
The agenda includes strengthening Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations of friendship, strategic partnership, and alliance. Special attention will be given to expanding cooperation and exchanges in priority areas.
On July 4, President Mirziyoyev will take part in the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, to be held in the city of Khankendi, and hold a series of bilateral meetings.
The visit comes amid a crisis in Azerbaijan–Russia relations
Mirziyoyev’s trip to Azerbaijan coincides with a sharp escalation between Baku and Moscow. It remains unclear whether the Uzbek leader is carrying any message from Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, several events in recent days have added to the tensions.
Mass arrests in Yekaterinburg
On June 27, Russian security forces detained more than 50 Azerbaijani nationals in Yekaterinburg. The operation was part of investigations into murder cases and illegal trade in counterfeit goods.
As a result, two people died — the Safarov brothers, who owned the “Caspian” café. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a formal protest demanding an investigation. The Russian side responded by speaking of a “dismantling of bilateral relations.”
Azerbaijan’s response measures
Azerbaijan canceled several cultural events related to Russia. A parliamentary delegation canceled its visit to Moscow and refused to participate in meetings of the inter-parliamentary commission with Russia. Additionally, arrests were carried out in Azerbaijan and investigative actions were taken at the Baku office of Russia’s Sputnik radio.