Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Threatens to Reassess Relations with Russia

The placement of the bust of Armenian painter Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Aivazyan) "in our territory" (in occupied Artsakh) without the consent of the Azerbaijani side was illegal. This was reported by Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry.

"This was a manifestation of disrespect by Russia towards the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Russian high-ranking officials must understand that if anti-Azerbaijani actions and statements continue, the reassessment of the stated imbalance in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia cannot be ruled out," the statement reads.

Recall that Maria Zakharova responded to the information about the destruction of Aivazovsky's monument in Stepanakert by placing the world-renowned painter's canvases and stating: "Somewhere they are destroying his monuments, while I am eliminating the ignorance of those who have never seen his works." Earlier, it was reported that Azerbaijani authorities had demolished Aivazovsky's monument on the painter's birthday.