Jirinovsky's Words Spark International Scandal Between Azerbaijan and Russia

The temporary chargé d'affaires of Russia has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan, where a note of protest was delivered regarding the statement made by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of Russia's Liberal Democratic Party, about the country's leadership.

According to a statement from Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "During the meeting, concerns and protests were conveyed regarding the offensive remarks of the State Duma deputy," as reported by the newspaper "Moskovskiy Komsomolets." The comments in question refer to a speech the politician gave on Komsomolskaya Pravda radio, where he addressed the tense situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, stating, "Russia must return to all territories of the Russian Empire and the USSR. The South Caucasus is our sphere of influence."

To prevent casualties among Russian soldiers there, Zhirinovsky suggested that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev be invited and told, "Ilham, your father was a wise man, therefore you have the territory you want, but no Russian soldier has the right to even look sideways. Do you understand me, Ilham?"

He further added that "there is a dictatorship in Azerbaijan, and if Biden wants, Aliyev could be overthrown in two weeks, and only Russia can save him, as it saved Pashinyan."