In an interview with Politico, Ukraine’s EU Ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov urged allies to make it clear to Azerbaijan that their attendance would be impossible if Putin is present. This statement follows reports from the Kremlin that Putin is considering attending the summit, scheduled for November in Baku.
Chentsov emphasized that Azerbaijan has become increasingly reliant on the European Union as a key energy partner amid the EU’s shift away from Russian fossil fuels. This dependence, according to the Ukrainian diplomat, provides Brussels with leverage over Baku. Chentsov also highlighted the international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Putin’s alleged war crimes, stating that this should be enough to dissuade the Russian leader from attending such a significant diplomatic event.
Meanwhile, some voices within the EU argue that Putin’s potential attendance should not derail the critical conference, which is expected to set new financial goals to combat climate change. Some EU officials suggest that if Putin attends, it could be an opportunity to publicly challenge his aggression and disinformation.
The question of Putin’s attendance remains unresolved, but if he does come, Azerbaijan, as a non-member of the ICC, would not be obligated to arrest him, further complicating the situation.
