- Jul 22
Azerbaijan's president confirms secret German-Russian talks in Baku, says territory used without consent
Ilham Aliyev said flight records show former German and Russian officials met in Baku on 12–14 July, but neither Berlin nor Moscow informed his government.
- Jul 21
Germany seeks more Azerbaijani gas and oil as Merz and Aliyev sign strategic pact, while Baku backchannel surfaces
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed in Berlin to deepen energy ties, with Germany seeking more gas and oil while Aliyev demanded new pipelines and investment. The meeting also surfaced a secret backchannel between former German and Russian officials in Baku.