Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s statement accusing Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure and diplomatic missions in Ukraine has sparked a strong reaction in Moscow. The Russian Embassy in Brussels rejected the accusations as “baseless” and stated that linking the damage to Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Kyiv with a “Russian missile strike” was a “hasty conclusion.” The incident has further intensified the already tense atmosphere in EU–Russia relations.
Speaking to ARB24 Television, human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov stressed that the inviolability of diplomatic missions is a fundamental principle of international law, and any damage—regardless of its cause—creates a serious legal issue. He noted that while Belgium’s position aligns with the general political line of Europe, Russia’s response was also predictable. This incident once again demonstrates that an intense information war is underway between Europe and Russia, with both sides presenting the same event through different narratives.
Ahmad Shahidov emphasized that for Azerbaijan, the main priority is not political statements but an objective investigation of the incident, a clear determination of the causes of the damage to the diplomatic mission, and full compensation for the harm inflicted on the Azerbaijani state. He added that ensuring the security of diplomatic missions in a war zone requires stronger mechanisms and that such incidents highlight the need for new international measures.
