New Delhi:
Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for the tragic plane crash that occurred in Russian airspace. On Christmas Day, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Putin’s apology is being described as unexpected, it is also pointing towards the fact that this accident happened due to Russia’s fault. However, the Kremlin’s statement did not directly say that Russia had shot down the plane. This half yes and half no from Russia has created even more suspense.
The Kremlin described the plane crash as a ‘tragic event’ for Russia and expressed its condolences to the families of the crash victims.
The accident happened due to Russian air defense system
The statement said that the plane repeatedly tried to land at Grozny airport at the time Grozny, Mozdok and Vladikavkaz were being attacked by Ukrainian drones. The Russian air defense system was foiling those attacks. Experts said that the passenger plane of Azerbaijan Airlines faced the same technical interference in Russian airspace. Due to this the plane became a victim of an accident.
Earlier, Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for this plane crash. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia’s civil aviation authority, said at the time Ukrainian military drones were carrying out terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure. He said that two unsuccessful attempts were also made to land the plane on the ground. Whereas Ukraine claimed Russia’s involvement in this accident and said that Russia should be held responsible for the shooting down of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane.
Azerbaijan Airlines plane flew hundreds of miles away from its scheduled route
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 flew hundreds of miles off its scheduled route from Azerbaijan to Russia and crashed on the opposite coast of the Caspian Sea. Russia’s aviation watchdog said it was an emergency that may have been caused by a bird strike, but an aviation expert said this was unlikely. Officials did not immediately say why the plane crossed the ocean. But the crash follows Ukrainian drone attacks this month in the Chechnya region of southern Russia. The nearest Russian airport on the plane’s flight path was closed on Wednesday morning.
There were 67 people on board the Azerbaijan Airlines plane, including 62 passengers and five crew members. The plane with flight number J2-8243 had crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan. 28 people also survived this incident. The passengers on board the plane included 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, six of Kazakhstan and three of Kyrgyzstan.
Want to improve relations with America – Putin
Many recent statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding war with Ukraine and relations with America have forced even experts to think. Putin has said that he wants to improve relations with America. Whereas America is openly supporting Ukraine in this fight. It is also sending its weapons and fighter planes to Ukraine. Putin has also talked about talks and agreements to end the war with Ukraine.
Putin says that Russia’s desire to improve its relations with America has not ended yet. This statement is quite shocking because last week Morocco had warned its citizens not to travel to America and other Western countries. According to Xinhua news agency, Putin said in an interview on Sunday, “If there is a will, everything can be done. Our desire (to improve relations with America) has not ended yet.”
Ready to establish relations with any country based on the interests of the Russian state – Putin
According to Russian news agency Tass, Putin was asked a question about the possibility of normalizing relations between Russia and America. Putin said that Russia is ready to build relations with other countries, provided that such efforts do not compromise Russian interests. He said, “If we establish relations with anyone, we will do so only on the basis of Russian state interests.”
Putin cited the example of the 19th and 20th centuries and reminded that after the Crimean War of 1853-1856, when many sanctions were imposed on Russia, the then Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, Alexander Gorchakov, sent a letter which read, “Russia is not angry. Russia is focused.”
“Gradually, as Russia concentrated, it got back all its rights in the Black Sea, and it became stronger,” Putin said. Quoting Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the outlet said that ‘America-Russia relations are on the verge of breaking down.’
Russia ready for both talks and compromise to end war with Ukraine
At the same time, the Russian President also believes that he is ready for both talks and compromise to end the war with Ukraine. According to media reports, the Russian President said this in a press conference held at the end of the year on Thursday. Putin’s press conference lasted for about 4 hours and during this he talked about everything from Russia’s nuclear policy to regime change in Syria. The program was telecast live on the main TV channels of the country.
Russia signals possible openness to talks with Trump
The Russian leader expressed willingness to reach agreements to end the Ukraine war, although he did not specify what these agreements might include.
Putin mentioned that he is ‘ready for both dialogue and compromise.’ His statement indicates possible openness for talks with America’s newly elected President Donald Trump. He said, “Politics is the art of compromise. We have always said that we are ready for both dialogue and compromise.”
