Baku: Azerbaijan on Tuesday summoned Russia's ambassador to Baku to protest what it described as recent 'provocative, insulting and threatening' statements targeting the country, its people, and leadership in the Russian media and information space.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry highlighted that Ambassador Mikhail Yevdokimov's attention was particularly drawn to statements against Baku and its leadership during a broadcast last week within the framework of the 'Chistota Ponimaniya' project. The ministry cited specific instances, including a program on 'Sputnik' radio on August 7, which made claims about including Azerbaijani leadership in 'Russia's list of terrorists and extremists.' Additionally, provocative views expressed on the 'Spas' TV channel on August 16 were also mentioned.

The ministry emphasized that discussions about potential interference in Azerbaijan's internal political processes, as well as calls for physical violence against the country and its leadership, were deemed 'unacceptable.' Despite repeated calls by Baku to counter such activities and discussions at various political levels, the continuation of such rhetoric in an increasingly harsh form was described as a 'cause for serious concern.'

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry conveyed its expectation to the Russian side to take urgent and effective measures to end the provocations, threats, and violent rhetoric against Azerbaijan in the information and media space.