Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not attend the ceremonial events in Moscow dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, scheduled for May 9, 2025. The presidential administration explained this decision by the accumulated problems in bilateral relations with Russia, which require a principled and balanced approach. The statement by Aliyev's press service emphasizes that the refusal to travel was a logical result of the events of recent months that have overshadowed cooperation between Baku and Moscow. This step, as analysts note, reflects Azerbaijan's desire to defend its interests against the backdrop of cooling ties with its traditional partner.

"Ilham Aliyev's decision not to go was a logical consequence of everything that has happened in relations between Baku and Moscow in recent months, and reflects the principled and balanced position of the Azerbaijani leadership on key issues on the bilateral agenda. Meanwhile, there are quite a few unresolved issues on it," — Aliyev’s press service stated.

The key factor in Aliyev's decision was likely the December 25, 2024 plane crash, when an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane en route from Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau. According to Azerbaijani authorities, the plane was hit by an air defense system when it crashed into the plane, which killed 38 people.