Zatulinn Comments on Putin-Aliyev Handshake

The handshake between the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, is a normal and courteous behavior, noted Konstantin Zatulinn, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma's Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots. In an interview with Lenta.ru, the lawmaker explained the significance of the gesture.

“I cannot imagine that during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, upon seeing Aliyev, Putin would cross to the other side of the street or, let’s say, turn his face and not shake hands. Of course, there is protocol,” Zatulinn said.

Previously, Putin and Aliyev had met in Beijing during a parade commemorating the end of World War II, where they also shook hands.