Abstract:
After centuries under the Russian rule, Azerbaijan eventually reached its independence in 1991, due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
From that moment on, the country’s main foreign policy aims have been focused on preserving its independence and national security. Many challenges came in between: a war with neighbouring Armenia, attempted coup d’état, economic and geopolitical manoeuvres, all with a certain degree of Russian involvement.
Because of that, Azerbaijan relations with Russia in the post-soviet world has been characterised by confrontation, but also by pragmatic cooperation. Equilibrium between Russia and the West seems to be the keyword for Azerbaijan’s moves. Indeed, geopolitics matters when having to deal with a powerful neighbour.
For example, Baku has opposed joining partnership with Western institutions, to participating in the Russia-baked Commonwealth of Independent States.
To avoid being under the Kremlin’s shadow, Azerbaijan has used its oil and gas reserves as foreign policy instruments. It intertwined its own interests with the ones of many different actors: from regional partners like Georgia and Turkey, to European Union member states. However, it is constantly challenged by Russia’s rival projects that are aimed at keeping Caucasian and Centro-Asiatic gas resources away from the European energy market.
Russian involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is also a reason for tensions between the two countries, though its ambivalent role as an ally to Erevan and a seller of weapons to Baku highlights its interest in keeping the status quo frozen.
However, throughout the years relations between Baku and Moscow has proved to be cooperative, too. They were able to find a deal over the exploitation of the Caspian seabed, they collaborate over security issues, like terrorism, they even found some common ground on the exploitation of Azerbaijani energy resources. Moreover, Russia’s influence over Azerbaijan is reflected in some cultural aspects, like language and religion.
