Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, made controversial remarks on October 2, 2026, stating that his country does not need any foreign assistance and has purchased all its weapons with its own money. These statements were made while the close relations between Baku and Ankara have been recognized as a symbol of unity between the two countries over the years.
History of Cooperation and Unity
Since the 1990s, the slogan "Two countries, one nation" has been a symbol of the close ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly expressed gratitude for Turkey's support during the Nagorno-Karabakh war and has pointed out that Turkish flags have been raised in the streets of Baku. However, the recent war in Gaza has shown that the interests of Baku and Ankara may differ under certain circumstances.
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Aliyev continued his remarks by referring to the lack of foreign support during past crises, stating: "We neither need anyone's help nor anyone's support. When we needed help, no one helped us." These statements have been interpreted as a form of criticism towards Turkey and other countries that support Azerbaijan.
Reactions and Analyses
Aliyev's remarks have led many in Azerbaijan and Turkey to ponder whether he was indirectly referring to Turkey. Rasim Musabekov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament, responded to these remarks by saying: "During the war, really no one helped us, but Azerbaijan and Turkey have united relations and there are no differences between the two countries."
Meanwhile, some Azerbaijani media have indirectly emphasized the country's independence and self-sufficiency in meeting military needs. Farhad Mammadov, a political analyst, believes that Aliyev's statements have drawn attention to the issue of ideological security and placed it at the level of physical security.
In the past, after Azerbaijan's victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the streets of Baku were filled with Turkish flags, and Aliyev had repeatedly thanked Erdogan for political support. However, it now seems that these relations have been affected by recent developments.
Azerbaijan has always prided itself on having close relations with Israel and has used Israeli drones during the Nagorno-Karabakh war. However, after the Gaza war, Baku appears to be striving to maintain a neutral position, while Turkey openly supports the Palestinians.
Possible Consequences
Analysts believe that Aliyev's remarks may be interpreted as a message to Turkey and indicate changes in the relations between the two countries. Hasan Selim Ozertem, a political analyst based in Ankara, states that "a significant part of Azerbaijan's identity is based on the reclamation of Nagorno-Karabakh and this narrative that the people of Azerbaijan themselves have accomplished this task."
Ultimately, it seems that Azerbaijan is currently under both internal and external pressures and must look more carefully at its relations with Turkey and Israel. These developments could have serious implications for Baku's foreign and domestic policies and may necessitate a reevaluation of diplomatic strategies.
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