During talks in Baku, Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev that current trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan does not fully reflect the vast potential of their economic relationship. The remark, reported by RIA Novosti, highlights a shared intention to translate mutual capabilities into stronger commercial ties and broader cooperation across multiple sectors. In the discussion that followed, Putin emphasized that the two countries are on a path of steady progress in their trade and economic partnership, underscoring the importance of aligning figures with their real industrial and logistical capacity. The exchange conveyed a pragmatic approach: the two nations should aim higher than four billion dollars in bilateral trade and push toward a more dynamic, results-oriented collaboration that benefits both peoples and points to a long-term strategic alignment.
Putin stated that while the current figure stands as a solid base, it remains just a milestone rather than a ceiling. He asserted that the potential of the Moscow-Baku relationship extends well beyond energy cooperation to encompass a broad spectrum of industries. In his view, industrial cooperation, transport, logistics, and light industry offer substantial room for joint ventures, technology transfer, and co-production initiatives. The Russian leader highlighted the importance of diversifying the economic agenda to include manufacturing, processing, and high-value services, all aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding markets for both nations. The commentary pointed to a pragmatic strategy: build on existing strengths while exploring complementary capabilities that can yield tangible commercial results over time, with the potential to serve broader regional markets. The assessment aligns with a shared objective to strengthen economic resilience and create sustainable growth through diversified trade networks. [citation: RIA Novosti]
In their dialogue, Putin also referenced concrete projects already underway. Notably, the Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation has teamed up with the Baku Shipyard to begin the production of river-sea tankers designed for transporting oil products. This collaboration signals a practical example of how bilateral cooperation can translate into tangible industrial capacity, international competitiveness, and expanded export opportunities. The project exemplifies how Russia and Azerbaijan can leverage their respective maritime, engineering, and logistics strengths to forge new supply chains and drive innovation in the shipbuilding sector. Such initiatives are emblematic of a broader trend toward heightened industrial synergy and cross-border investment that aims to unlock additional commercial volumes as confidence and infrastructure improve. The partnership is presented as a model for how strategic sectors can be developed to support regional energy logistics and commerce. [citation: RIA Novosti]
Beyond trade figures and specific projects, discussions touched on border issues as part of a wider regional security and cooperation agenda. Putin reiterated Russia’s readiness to participate in the demarcation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signaling a commitment to stability that can underpin future economic activity. This stance is framed as a contribution to a more predictable environment in the South Caucasus, which many businesses view as essential for long-term investment planning, risk assessment, and the expansion of cross-border commerce. The emphasis on stable borders aligns with a strategy that seeks to reduce operational uncertainty, enhance trade facilitation, and encourage durable, people-to-people and business-to-business linkages across the region. The remark reflects a broader understanding that political arrangements and economic partnerships go hand in hand when aiming to unlock sustained growth and regional prosperity. [citation: RIA Novosti]