Ilham Aliyev

Background

Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev is the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a post he has held since 2003. In this role, he heads the Azerbaijani state, oversees the executive branch, and represents the country in foreign and domestic policy. He is a central figure in Russian-Azerbaijani relations because Azerbaijan is a key regional partner for Moscow, and recent official contacts have included discussions on regional security, humanitarian transit, and strategic cooperation.

Born on 24 December 1961, Aliyev is the son of former Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev. He became president on 31 October 2003 after serving a two-month term as prime minister of Azerbaijan, and his rise to the presidency followed a presidential election marked by irregularities shortly before his father’s death. He has led the New Azerbaijan Party since 2005 and was re-elected in 2008, with constitutional changes in 2009 later removing presidential term limits and allowing him to stand again in 2013, 2018, and 2024. He is married to Mehriban Aliyeva, who serves as Vice President of Azerbaijan.

Aliyev’s presidency has been associated with the consolidation of a long-running governing system centered on oil wealth, political control, and strong executive authority. His family and ruling network have been linked to major business interests in banking, construction, telecommunications, and the oil and gas sector, while his administration has also been connected to extensive lobbying abroad. His tenure was further defined by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which escalated into war in 2020 and, after the 2023 military offensive and siege, ended with the departure of Armenians from the territory and its reintegration into Azerbaijan.

Timeline

1. Mar 11, 2026

   Ilham Aliyev facilitated the evacuation of Russian nationals from Iran and the transit of humanitarian aid.

   Telephone Conversation with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
2. Mar 11, 2026

   He called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East with Vladimir Putin.

   Telephone Conversation with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev