Zelensky Meets with Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev in First Wartime Caucasus Visit — Five Agreements on the Table
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Gabala, Azerbaijan, for a working visit and held a one-on-one meeting with President Ilham Aliyev . This marks Zelensky’s first official trip to the South Caucasus since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022 .
The meeting follows Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week, where he discussed drone-defense cooperation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman . The Ukrainian leader is now seeking to deepen ties with Baku, which has maintained relatively warm relations with Kyiv even as Russia’s influence in the region shifts .
Security and Energy at the Forefront
According to a senior Ukrainian official traveling with the president, the visit is focused on “security and energy cooperation, coordination” . Zelensky himself confirmed that a “strategic security arrangement” is being actively developed between the two countries across three key areas: export of Ukrainian security expertise and capabilities in air defense, energy cooperation, and food security .
Ukraine has been touting its battle-hardened anti-drone technology as a global export. Over the past several months, Kyiv has dispatched dozens of military specialists and interceptors to Gulf countries to help counter Iranian drone attacks . Officials suggest that similar technical cooperation may be part of the discussion with Baku, which faces security challenges in its own neighborhood.
Azerbaijan has repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sent humanitarian aid after the 2022 invasion . Its relations with Moscow, however, have soured dramatically following the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijani airliner by Russian air defenses, an incident that killed 38 people .
Five Bilateral Agreements in the Works
According to the Ukrainian President’s Office, Zelensky and Aliyev are working on at least five bilateral agreements covering a wide range of sectors . While specific details have not yet been released, discussions are expected to include:
- Economy and trade
- Energy projects, including potential cooperation on oil and gas (Azerbaijan is a major energy producer)
- Security and defense cooperation, particularly air defense technology transfers
- Humanitarian demining, following Azerbaijan’s recent donation of a Revival P mine clearance vehicle to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service
- Transport and logistics, potentially involving the Middle Corridor trade route
Earlier in February, Zelensky and Aliyev held talks focused on energy projects and demining assistance, with Baku committing a package of generators and transformers to help Ukraine’s embattled power grid . Since then, the relationship has continued to deepen.
Regional Context: Azerbaijan’s Balancing Act
Azerbaijan sits in a delicate geopolitical position. Baku has historically maintained a partnership with Moscow while simultaneously cultivating ties with the West. However, the December 2024 plane crash—in which a Russian missile hit an Azerbaijani passenger jet—has pushed the relationship into a deep chill.
First Wartime Visit to the Caucasus
The Gabala meeting marks a symbolic milestone for Ukraine’s foreign policy, which has sought to expand its influence beyond its traditional European and transatlantic partners. Zelensky’s trip signals that Kyiv views the South Caucasus as a strategic region for long-term cooperation, particularly in energy transit and defense technology.
This is Zelensky’s first visit to a South Caucasus country since the start of the full-scale war . It is also his second trip to a former Soviet republic in as many weeks, following meetings in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.
What Comes Next
The two presidents are expected to release a joint statement following their consultations. According to officials, the five bilateral agreements could be signed in the coming months, with working groups tasked with implementing specific technical cooperation in air defense and energy.
For Ukraine, this visit is part of a broader diplomatic offensive aimed at securing allies in the Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia. For Azerbaijan, deepening ties with Kyiv offers an opportunity to strengthen its position vis-à-vis Moscow while benefiting from Ukraine’s unique battlefield expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is this Zelensky’s first visit to Azerbaijan since the war began?
Zelensky’s travel has been heavily restricted due to security concerns. The decision to visit now signals that Ukraine views Azerbaijan as a critical partner for economic and security cooperation, particularly in the energy and defense sectors .
2. What will Zelensky and Aliyev discuss?
The primary topics are security cooperation, specifically Ukraine’s expertise in air defense and drone interception; energy projects; economic agreements; and humanitarian demining .
3. Has Azerbaijan supported Ukraine during the war?
Yes. Baku has repeatedly stated its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, provided humanitarian aid, and assisted in reconstruction efforts, including the energy sector . Azerbaijan also recently donated a mine clearance vehicle to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service .
4. How has the Russia-Azerbaijan relationship changed recently?
Relations between Moscow and Baku have deteriorated following the December 2024 downing of an Azerbaijani passenger plane by Russian air defenses. Azerbaijan has since pursued closer ties with Ukraine and other Western-aligned nations .
5. What could come out of this meeting?
The two countries are working on five bilateral agreements covering economy, energy, security, transport, and humanitarian cooperation . A “strategic security arrangement” focused on air defense is also under active development .
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