Erdogan called on Russia and Azerbaijan to show restraint in relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara is closely monitoring the growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia and called on both sides to show restraint. This was reported on July 5 by the Anadolu agency.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Russia and Azerbaijan to show restraint amid rising tensions between the two countries," the publication said.

The President also stressed that Ankara has "deep and strategic ties" with both Moscow and Baku.

He added that the issue of tension in relations between the two countries can be resolved through diplomacy. According to Erdogan, Ankara's biggest wish is that the events that took place earlier would not cause "irreparable damage" to Azerbaijani-Russian relations.

Concern is boiling over: Moscow and Baku are discussing the situation around the work of the Russian House

Certain crisis moments do not interfere with bilateral relations, experts say.

On June 30, Azerbaijani security forces conducted an operation in the office of Sputnik Azerbaijan. At the same time, two Russian journalists were detained in Baku — Igor Kartavykh, the head of the agency's editorial office, and Evgeny Belousov, the editor-in-chief. Later, eight more Russian citizens were detained in the city. On July 2, the Russian Embassy in Baku reported that Russians had received complaints about the use of physical violence, document checks and visits by unknown persons.

On July 2, Zakharova announced that Moscow was calling on Baku to take measures to return the countries' relations to the level of strategic alliance. She added that all issues should be resolved in a partnership manner, using diplomatic channels.