On December 17, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, gave an interview to Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the 'Rossiya Segodnya' International News Agency, for the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and Russia’s RIA Novosti agency. 

Aliyev stated that he hopes a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia will be avoided, citing the catastrophic global consequences it would bring. He expressed optimism for a shift in US foreign policy with the potential change of administration and stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities, positioning the country as a unique independent player trusted by both the West and East. Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan's readiness to contribute to détente, noting that Baku has hosted high-level meetings between Russian and NATO military officials.

Addressing speculation about a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan, Aliyev dismissed the need for one, citing Azerbaijan's longstanding military cooperation with Türkiye since 1992 and the existence of a mutual defense clause in the Declaration on Allied Relations. He emphasized that military bases cannot be concealed in the modern era, branding related rumors as political speculation.

On arms procurement, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan has not signed new contracts for Russian weapons in the past three years due to Russia's focus on domestic defense needs. However, he confirmed that Azerbaijan had submitted requests for future contracts once Russia's defense industry is ready.

Aliyev criticized France, the US, and India for supplying weapons to Armenia, calling it a direct threat to Azerbaijan's security. He stated that France and India openly deliver lethal weapons to Armenia, while US arms shipments are less transparent. He warned that Armenia would not be able to compete with Azerbaijan in an arms race and noted that, despite maximum backing from Macron's France and the US, no one came to Armenia's aid during the Second Karabakh War or the September 2023 operation. Aliyev accused France of becoming a "failed state" under Macron, pointing to failures in Africa, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as domestic political instability.

Regarding Georgia, Aliyev expressed support for the country's stability and development, noting its strategic importance as an ally. He criticized “Western-funded NGOs” for attempting to influence Georgian politics, emphasizing that Azerbaijan prohibits foreign financing of its media. Aliyev claimed that external forces, including France, have sought to meddle in Georgia’s affairs. He argued that Georgia plays a vital role in the "battle for the Caucasus," noting Armenia's de facto withdrawal from the CSTO and highlighting Azerbaijan's independent stance.

Aliyev also aimed Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, recalling Borrell's controversial comment about Europe being a "garden" and the rest of the world a "jungle." Aliyev responded that if Azerbaijan is a "jungle," Europe should stay away. He likened Borrell to a foreign minister under Franco's dictatorship, asserting he was simply "unlucky to live in a different time."