Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues his efforts to garner international support from various quarters against Russia. In this context, he recently visited Azerbaijan, where he was received by his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev.
Ukrainian President: Details of the visit
It is worth noting that six new agreements were signed during the visit, reflecting the deepening of security and economic cooperation between the two countries. This comes amidst a decline in Russian influence in the Caucasus region in general, and in Azerbaijan in particular.
Experts consider this visit a significant diplomatic turning point. Firstly, it is Zelenskyy’s first official visit to the South Caucasus region since the outbreak of war with Russia in 2002. Secondly, the discussions focused on military cooperation, particularly the establishment of infrastructure for joint military production between Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
It is noteworthy that Aliyev received Zelenskyy in the city of Gabala, near the Russian border, rather than in the capital, Baku. From the experts’ perspective, this is an indirect political message to Moscow.
Cooperation between the two countries
It was reported that Azerbaijani experts began working with their Ukrainian counterparts to benefit from Ukraine’s experience in intercepting drones, particularly Iranian ones, which are considered a common threat to both countries. Zelensky announced that Ukraine was ready to resume negotiations with Russia. A new round of talks may be held on Azerbaijani territory. However, this stance was seen as more of a publicity stunt than a serious commitment.
It must be said that Azerbaijan has maintained close relations with Ukraine since the beginning of the war. It has provided humanitarian and economic aid and supported the reconstruction of Ukrainian energy facilities. The facilities of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR in Ukraine were also targeted by Russian attacks during the war.
According to the Azerbaijani government, Baku has provided Kyiv with approximately €15 million in humanitarian aid since the start of the war. This was done while maintaining balanced relations with Russia, according to the official narrative.
However, the facts on the ground suggest otherwise. Russian-Azerbaijani relations became severely strained after the downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in December 2014. The incident resulted in the deaths of 38 people, and Russia was accused of responsibility, which it officially denied.
On the economic front, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the energy sector. Ukraine began importing natural gas from Azerbaijan via the Trans-Balkan Pipeline in early 2016. A formal, direct agreement was also signed between Ukraine’s Naftogaz and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR for the supply of natural gas.
Furthermore, SOCAR provided free fuel to Ukrainian ambulances and emergency services during the war. Support programs were also implemented for affected Ukrainian children.
Ukraine is attempting to gain influence in the region
In light of this, there is a growing belief that the center of power in the Caucasus is gradually shifting from Russia towards Azerbaijan and Turkey, a NATO member. Russia is no longer considered the dominant power it once was in the region.
Therefore, Zelensky’s visit is not just about energy or gas; it also aims to undermine Russian influence in the South Caucasus, a region historically considered the Kremlin’s “backyard.”
A few days later, the Ukrainian president visited Armenia, another major country in the region, as part of the same efforts. This visit was seen as an extension of his efforts to build an anti-Russian alliance in the South Caucasus and represented a significant diplomatic boost following his strategic visit to Azerbaijan.
It is worth noting that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during his meeting with Zelensky that his country “is not an ally of Russia” in the Ukrainian conflict.
Observers subsequently noted that Armenia, too, is distancing itself from Russia and moving toward an alliance with Europe.
Prepared by: Brown land
