Regarding the meetings in Baku to which you referred, I can say that we learned about this information from The Times. We were unaware of it. Naturally, giving due consideration to an article published by such a reputable media outlet, we conducted an investigation.

Axar.az informs that President Ilham Aliyev made the remarks in response to a question about the reported meeting between German and Russian representatives in Baku during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The head of state said that before leaving for Berlin yesterday, he had requested information from the Azerbaijani State Border Service:

"Yesterday, prior to my departure for Berlin, I requested information from the State Border Service of Azerbaijan to determine whether the individuals named in The Times had been in Azerbaijan at the same time. I can inform you that this information was confirmed. On July 12, two prominent individuals—one of whom is reported to have served as Chief of Staff to Chancellor Merkel—Mr. Pofalla and Mr. Platzeck, arrived in Baku on a Berlin–Baku flight and returned from Baku to Berlin on July 14. At the same time, on July 12, former Prime Minister of Russia Mr. Zubkov and Head of the Presidential Council for Civil Society of Russia Mr. Fadeyev arrived in Baku from Moscow; one departed Baku on July 13 and the other on July 14. We received no notification regarding this from either Germany or Russia. In short, our territory was simply utilized without our knowledge. As to whether such a meeting actually took place, I cannot say anything definitive because we did not witness it. However, the flight statistics I mentioned provide grounds to suggest that such a secret meeting was held in Baku. If this meeting serves to end the Ukrainian–Russian war, we, of course, welcome it."

President Ilham Aliyev once again stressed that, in any case, the war must be stopped immediately:

"As for the second question, you know, I offer advice only when I am asked for it. I recently answered a similar question at the Global Media Forum in Shusha, Garabagh, where I stated that, in any case, the war must be stopped immediately. Our primary goal is for this war to end and for peace to be secured in the region."