Aliyev made the statement at Heydar Aliyev Airport in Baku, where he held a meeting regarding the incident.
"In the morning, I was flying from Baku to St. Petersburg to participate in the CIS summit when I was informed about this accident, this tragedy. I immediately gave the order, and the plane returned to Baku," said the President of Azerbaijan.
On December 25, an informal summit of the CIS leaders was scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, featuring the illegitimate President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.
Aliyev mentioned that he was briefed on the aviation disaster.
"The AZAL airline's plane, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, changed its course due to worsening weather and headed towards Aktau Airport, where the accident occurred during landing. There are moments of the aviation disaster available in the media and on social networks. Therefore, anyone can see it. However, the reasons for the accident remain unknown to us. There are various theories. I believe it is too early to discuss this," he stated.