Turkish presidential adviser meets Russian envoy on Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chief adviser, Akif Cagatay Kilic, met Wednesday with Igor Khovayev, Russia's special envoy for the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The discussions focused on bilateral relations between Ankara and Moscow and the ongoing peace process between Baku and Yerevan.

South Caucasus Dialogue

Kilic announced the meeting on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, stating that he received Khovayev along with the Russian delegation to address "the bilateral relations between Ankara and Moscow, the ongoing Baku-Yerevan normalization process aimed at establishing lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the latest developments in the South Caucasus." The engagement reflects Turkey's active diplomatic role in regional peace efforts and its coordination with Russia, which serves as a key mediator in the Caucasus.

Strategic Coordination

Turkey and Russia, despite competing interests in various conflicts, have maintained channels of communication on Caucasus issues, recognizing the importance of preventing renewed hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and subsequent tensions. Ankara has consistently supported Baku's position while advocating for regional stability, while Moscow has peacekeeping forces in the region and maintains close ties with both Yerevan and Baku.

Peace Process Context

The meeting comes as Azerbaijan and Armenia continue negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement, with unresolved issues including border demarcation, transport corridors, and the status of ethnic Armenians in Karabakh. Both Turkey and Russia have stakes in a stable resolution—Turkey as a strategic ally of Azerbaijan, Russia as a security guarantor with military presence in the region. Regular consultations between Ankara and Moscow help manage differences and coordinate approaches to preventing conflict escalation.