Azerbaijan Proposes NATO Military Base Near Russian Border

Baku, Azerbaijan – Amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between Baku and Moscow, the Azerbaijani pro-government online publication Minval.az has suggested the possibility of establishing a NATO military base in Azerbaijan, close to its border with Russia.

"Until recently, Azerbaijan pursued a rather restrained and balanced policy. However, any policy is built with consideration for existing threats, challenges, and realities. And today, in the face of growing threats, Baku has the right to consider radical deterrent measures. One possible step could be the deployment of a NATO base in Azerbaijan — for example, in the Khachmaz district, near the borders with Russia," writes Minval.az.

According to the editorial board, such a move "would not violate international law and would be based on the existing Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Azerbaijan and NATO. Moreover, it would send a direct signal: the era of unilateral military dictate is over, and every step against Azerbaijan's sovereignty will have a price," the publication emphasizes.

Moscow must clearly understand: "playing with fire in the South Caucasus could result in a conflagration that would harm everyone — primarily Russia itself. Baku does not seek confrontation, but it also does not intend to back down under pressure. If radical solutions are on the table, the fault lies not with Azerbaijani diplomacy, but with Russian provocateurs," the Minval.az article concludes.

Earlier, pro-government expert and former assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Eldar Namazov, put forward the idea of establishing a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan.

Relations between Baku and Moscow began to cool after an Azerbaijani Airlines (AZAL) passenger plane, flying from Baku to Grozny, was shot down in Russian airspace on December 25, 2024. The plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan.

A new wave of tension in Baku-Moscow relations began in late June following the killing of two entrepreneurs of Azerbaijani origin during their arrest by law enforcement in Yekaterinburg.

Baku has since closed the "Sputnik Azerbaijan" office, arresting two of its executives. Azerbaijani security forces have also arrested more than 10 Russian citizens, accusing them of drug and cybercrimes.

Azerbaijan has ceased political contacts with Russia and suspended cultural cooperation. Russian law enforcement agencies have reportedly begun mass arrests among representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.