Azerbaijan ’s recent steps to deepen cooperation with NATO are challenging Russia and fueling concerns of a Western security footprint encroaching on a region Moscow considers its sphere of influence, analysts say.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev discussed cooperation on military modernization with a visiting NATO delegation on Thursday, as Baku moves its armed forces toward alignment with alliance standards.

Newsweek has reached out to Azerbaijan and Russia's foreign ministries for comment.

Why It Matters

Tensions between NATO and Russia are at a high point because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Moscow closely monitoring Western influence near its borders. The prospect of a deepening Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation could undermine Russia’s military influence and energy inter

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