STRATEGIC HEDGING IN AZERBAIJAN’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
STRATEGIC HEDGING IN AZERBAIJAN’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Summary/Abstract: Considering the dynamics of Azerbaijan's relations with Russia and the distribution of factors determining the course of relations, it is possible to observe that there are many elements of strategic hedging. Post-independence Azerbaijan has built its foreign policy on versatility and balance in the challenging conditions of the South Caucasus geography. In particular, this foreign policy has determined the general framework of the development of Azerbaijan's relations with Russia. The historical contexts and stories with Russia made it necessary to determine this policy. The article focuses on the question of strategic hedging in Azerbaijan's relations with Russia. Since independence, Azerbaijan's relations with Russia have followed an up-and-down course. This course has shaped the functioning and framework of relations between the two states. On the one hand, Azerbaijan has emphasized its strategic relations with Russia, while on the other hand, it has established multidimensional strategic cooperation mechanisms with Turkiye and the West. In this respect, it is possible to say that Azerbaijan has prioritized hedging by implementing the strategy of acting independently from Russia and acting cautiously in its relations with Russia. In this article, strategic hedging in Azerbaijan's relations with Russia is tested through three case studies. In this context, Azerbaijan's policies and priorities in the Russian-Georgian, Second Karabakh and Russian-Ukrainian wars are analyzed.

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