The most significant unseen victim of the 2024 Azerbaijan plane crash is the trust between two nations. President Vladimir Putin’s admission of fault, while a step toward transparency, cannot easily resurrect the confidence that has been lost over the past ten months.
When the Azerbaijan Airlines flight went down, it took with it not only 38 lives but also the assumption of mutual respect and reliability that underpinned the Russia-Azerbaijan relationship. The crash created a wound, and the subsequent silence allowed it to become infected with suspicion.
President Ilham Aliyev’s accusation that Russia tried to “hush up” the affair is the clearest symptom of this dead trust. It shows that he no longer takes Moscow’s statements at face value and suspects ulterior motives behind its actions.
Rebuilding this trust is a far more complex task than simply paying compensation or conducting a legal review. It requires a sustained period of genuine transparency, consistent communication, and actions that demonstrate a renewed commitment to partnership.
The tragedy serves as a powerful reminder that in international relations, trust is a precious and fragile commodity. Once shattered, it can take years, or even generations, to piece back together.