The recent cooling in Azerbaijani-Russian relations has drawn the attention of both regional observers and international partners. Against the backdrop of escalating diplomatic tensions, discussions have emerged about the potential role of third-party mediation, particularly by Türkiye, and about the internal developments in Armenia as it moves toward the 2026 parliamentary elections. In an exclusive interview with News.Az, Andrey Petrov, Deputy Director General of the Russian analytical agency Vestnik Kavkaza, offers a detailed assessment of the situation, including the growing strategic role of Azerbaijan in the ECO and regional dynamics in the South Caucasus.