Aliyev confirms former Russian and German officials were in Baku for possible Ukraine talks

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed on Tuesday during a press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin that former officials from Germany and Russia were in Baku in mid-July for a possible meeting to discuss Moscow's war in Ukraine. Aliyev said that Baku was not aware of the development until after the fact.

“Flight statistics give grounds to suggest that such a secret meeting was held in Baku,” Aliyev stated, noting that Azerbaijan “received no notification regarding this from either Germany or Russia.” “Our territory was simply utilised without our knowledge,” he explained. “If this meeting serves to end the Ukrainian–Russian war, we, of course, welcome it.”

Aliyev said he ordered an investigation by the State Border Service following media reports about a possible meeting. “I can inform you that this information was confirmed,” he said, naming the officials involved.

“On 12 July, two prominent individuals — one of whom is reported to have served as chief of staff to Chancellor Merkel — Mr Pofalla and Mr Platzeck, arrived in Baku on a Berlin–Baku flight and returned from Baku to Berlin on 14 July,” Aliyev said. Ronald Pofalla served as head of the Federal Chancellery and Minister for Special Affairs under Angela Merkel from 2009 to 2013, later becoming CEO of Deutsche Bahn's infrastructure division. He also co-chaired the Petersburg Dialogue, a German-Russian forum suspended by Germany in 2021 after Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine. He has maintained informal contacts with Russian political figures and has been cited by The Times as a possible unofficial mediator. Matthias Platzeck is a former Social Democrat Minister-President of Brandenburg and former head of the Forum on Russo-German Cooperation.

“At the same time, on 12 July, former prime minister of Russia Mr Zubkov and head of the Presidential Council for Civil Society of Russia Mr Fadeyev arrived in Baku from Moscow,” Aliyev added. “One departed Baku on 13 July and the other on 14 July.” Viktor Zubkov served as prime minister of Russia from 2007 to 2008 under Putin and is currently chairman of the board of Gazprom. Valery Fadeyev has headed Russia's Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights since 2019. Both are considered figures within Putin's inner circle.

At the press conference, Merz said he had no information about the alleged meeting but added that “for months, we have been trying to persuade President Putin to initiate negotiations.” The Russian president refused, according to Merz. “Ending this war rests solely with the Russian government and the Russian president. Entering into talks and, if necessary, starting peace negotiations depends solely on him,” Merz said. “He continues to refuse to do so.”

Aliyev reiterated his position that “the war must be stopped immediately.” “Our primary goal is for this war to end and for peace to be secured in the region,” he said.