Azerbaijani journalists demonstratively highlighted the stark contrast in how China received President Ilham Aliyev and Putin
Azerbaijani media publicly humiliated Russian dictator Putin, emphasizing his vassal-like status in relations with China, according to DROBRO. In a report about the arrival of world leaders at the SCO summit in China, journalists pointedly showcased the vastly different receptions for Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Putin.
When the Azerbaijani leader’s plane landed in Tianjin, the scene was striking: an honor guard, red carpets, smiles, and high-ranking officials. The president’s wife walked alongside him, and everything suggested that China was welcoming its most valued guests, underscoring the strategic level of Beijing-Baku relations.
Азербайджанські ЗМІ публічно принизили Путіна, яскраво показавши його провал у Китаї (Відео)https://t.co/3mCF2MDdMZ pic.twitter.com/HRUDswsWHE
— Дрогобич чиНа ❗️ DroBro7/24 (@DroBro10) August 31, 2025
A similar scene unfolded for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s arrival-ceremonial, with an emphasis on allied relations and respect for the Turkish leader.In sharp contrast, Putin’s arrival stood out for its lackluster reception: no honor guard, no concert, no warm gestures.
“The Russian leader’s visit appeared as a mere formality without any real significance. While Aliyev and Erdogan were greeted as respected strategic partners, Putin was treated more like an inconvenient guest to be quickly ushered out. The visual contrast is so stark that comments are unnecessary. Respect and honor—to Moscow,” the report stated.
It’s worth noting that Russia-Azerbaijan relations have sharply deteriorated since the Kremlin refused to take responsibility for the downing of an Azerbaijani civilian plane by Russian air defenses in December 2024. This was followed by a raid by Russian security forces in Yekaterinburg targeting Azerbaijanis, resulting in two deaths, and recent Russian attacks on Azerbaijani infrastructure in Ukraine.