As geopolitical balances shift in the South Caucasus,Azerbaijan is establishing itself as a key player on the international stage. Thanks to assertive diplomacy, strategic energy resources, and a proactive foreign policy, the country is expanding its partnerships around the world. On June 10, 2025, the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, met with hisArmenian counterpart,Nikol Pashinyan, to discuss a historic peace agreement. This rapprochement illustrates a broader dynamic: that of a state intent on playing a central role in regional and global affairs.

As Azerbaijan rises on the international stage, it is intensifying its collaborations with various regions around the world. With an increasingly influential diplomacy, the country is making its voice heard globally in a notably positive manner. This article presents a comprehensive overview of Azerbaijan’s recent diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical developments.

Becoming a country with influential diplomacy, it is making its voice heard internationally in a rather positive way.

The renowned French newspaper “Le Monde” published an article titled “Azerbaijan asserts itself as a regional power.” In this article, Grynszpan & Vincent (April 23, 2024) highlight that Azerbaijan has established itself as a power in the Caucasus, especially militarily.

Nevertheless, in recent days, tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan have been rising, and the Azerbaijani president has stood firm against Putin in response to the violence committed by the latter.

On June 27, Russian special forces conducted a violent raid on ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, an industrial city in Russia’s Ural region. About 50 people were detained, several were reportedly injured, and two Azerbaijani – Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov – died in custody under suspicious circumstances. The deaths of two Azerbaijanis in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg during a Russian police operation in June have created the most serious tension in recent times in relations between Baku and Moscow.

Azerbaijan demanded that those responsible for the deaths of its two citizens be punished.

On July 2, the Russian ambassador in Baku was summoned to protest the “illegal activities” of the Russian police, and Moscow was accused of undermining bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan also arrested a Russian journalist allegedly working for state media and linked to Russian intelligence (FSB), along with 15 other Russian nationals on charges ranging from forgery to drug trafficking and cybercrime.

Let us now understand how Azerbaijan has become an influential country capable of asserting itself regionally and even globally.

Azerbaijan possesses significant oil and natural gas reserves, particularly in the Caspian Sea, which fuel a substantial part of its economy. The production and export of these resources, especially to Europe, strongly contribute to the country’s growth.

Azerbaijan has developed close relations with several major players, including the European Union, the United States, Türkiye, Central Asia, and Israel, giving it an important geostrategic role.

Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, stated during her visit to Baku on April 25 that Azerbaijan is “an important partner in the region.” She added: “Together, the EU and Azerbaijan have made significant progress in strengthening their ties. We discussed ways to further increase trade and improve connectivity.”

Azerbaijan is experiencing a period of growing influence, particularly in the energy sector and regional affairs. The country is actively developing its renewable energy resources, aiming to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Hosting the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in 2024 further solidifies Azerbaijan’s commitment to sustainable energy and climate action. BAKU, March 27, 2025—The World Bank today approved the Azerbaijan Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Project (AZURE), an initiative that will strengthen Azerbaijan’s power transmission network, enable the country to diversify its energy mix, noted the World Bank. Azerbaijan plans to increase renewable energy capacity by 6.5 GW by 2030 according to Interfax.

Simultaneously, Azerbaijan is leveraging its strategic location and energy resources to strengthen its position in regional and global energy markets. Furthermore, Azerbaijan has seen a strengthening of its military and a more assertive foreign policy, leading to increased regional influence.

Azerbaijan is a growing power, driven by its natural resources and proactive foreign policy.

On the regional front, the rapprochement between Aliyev and Pashinyan (and also between Pashinyan and Türkiye) shows that Azerbaijan is asserting itself as a regional power. Euronews published on June 10, 2025, that Armenia and Azerbaijan are moving closer to peace, pushing Russia out from the South Caucasus.

The author of this article, Vakulina, notes that the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders have concluded a regional peace agreement.

Aliyev is also asserting himself internationally, as demonstrated by the Russia-Azerbaijan tensions: The recent flare-up between Russia and Azerbaijan is far more than a diplomatic spat: It marks a potential turning point in the balance of power in the South Caucasus, writes Taghizade, R. (July 10, 2025) for Al Jazeera. Aliyev stands firm to defend Azerbaijani interests, regardless of the rival.

Support from Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) members for Azerbaijan

At the same time, the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in Hankendi, Azerbaijan. Leaders from member countries such as Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan gathered in Hankendi on July 4, providing high-level political support for Azerbaijan. Here, we see that Azerbaijan is becoming a bridge between Europe and Asia and an essential partner for Central Asian countries and Pakistan, as well as for Europe. This country, sharing borders with the Caspian Sea and being a close ally of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, is developing highly successful bilateral relations with many countries around the world.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan is asserting itself as a rising power on the international stage. Through its energy resources, strategic diplomacy, and regional leadership, it is shaping new alliances and redefining its role in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anadolu Ajansı. (2025, July 10). Crisis in Russia-Azerbaijan relations: The South Caucasus is being reshaped. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/analiz/rusya-azerbaycan-iliskilerinde-kriz-guney-kafkasya-yeniden-sekilleniyor/3623925

EU NEIGHBOURS east. (2025, April 28). EU and Azerbaijan to resume negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement. https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eu-and-azerbaijan-to-resume-negotiations-on-a-new-partnership-and-cooperation-agreement/

Grynszpan Emmanuel Vincent, F. (2024, 23 avril). L’Azerbaïdjan s’affirme comme puissance régionale. Le Monde. https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/04/23/l-azerbaidjan-s-affirme-comme-puissance-regionale_6229421_3210.html

Interfax. (n.d.). Azerbaijan boosts gas exports 3.2% in 7M – customs. Retrieved July 11, 2025, from https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/110797/

Taghizade, R. (2025, July 10). The South Caucasus is slipping from Russia’s grasp. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/7/10/the-south-caucasus-is-slipping-from-russias-grasp

Vakulina, S. (2025, July 10). Armenia and Azerbaijan move closer to peace, pushing Russia out from the South Caucasus. Euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/10/armenia-and-azerbaijan-move-closer-to-peace-pushing-russia-out-from-the-south-caucasus

World Bank. (2025, March 27). Azerbaijan to strengthen energy security and diversify its energy mix. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/03/27/azerbaijan-to-strengthen-energy-security-and-diversify-its-energy-mix