Zakharova on the Commotion Over the ‘Symbol of Azerbaijan’s Victory’ Gifted from Baku

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, referred to the brooch shaped like the Khara-Bulbuli flower—a symbol of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War—as an act of provocation in response to reports about a gift presented to her by a delegation from Baku during the World Youth Festival. This information was relayed by TASS.

In response to a TASS query, the diplomat stated, “This is yet another inflated story for the simple reason that those who did not come to the festival, those who are not here, do not know that all festival participants brought with them some gifts.” She emphasized during a press briefing at the festival, “There is no need to fall for provocations,” commenting on the reactions in social media regarding this gift.

According to Zakharova, participants from Palestine brought gifts marked with “Palestine,” Argentinians presented their badges, and representatives from China offered their symbols adorned with pandas. “From Yekaterinburg, I received a heart with a coat of arms inside, and those from Belgorod gave me a badge with their region’s coat of arms,” she continued. “This does not imply that all of this should be politicized; people speak about what is important to them. I share some things, learn about others for the first time, and may disagree with something. It is absolutely normal for people to give symbols that are important to them,” she noted.

Zakharova also mentioned that she would bring back a box filled with badges, brochures, keychains, and magnets from the festival, promising to document her gift collection in photographs. The diplomat added that she was particularly fond of the gift from the residents of Yekaterinburg.