ISW explained how Putin's visit to Azerbaijan is related to events in the Kursk region.

Putin tried to divert attention from the situation in the Kursk region by visiting Azerbaijan

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin made a visit to the capital of Azerbaijan to try to divert attention from the "uncomfortable situation" in the Kursk region, according to a summary by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is noted that Putin arrived on a two-day visit to Baku on August 18 with a Russian delegation, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Russian dictator met with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to discuss Russian-Azerbaijani bilateral relations.

The delegations discussed bilateral energy ties, Russian-language initiatives in Azerbaijan, and Russia's readiness to act as a mediator in the peaceful settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The timing of this visit is noteworthy in light of the situation in the Kursk region and the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to downplay the scale and consequences of the Ukrainian invasion," the Institute's analysts emphasize.

They suggest that Russian state media focused on Putin's trip to Azerbaijan, covering the smallest details, likely in part to divert attention from the "uncomfortable situation" in Russia, filling the information space with a demonstration of the Kremlin's global diplomatic activity and its supposed successes.

Source: Espresso