President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Azerbaijan for an official working visit on Saturday, April 25. The core of the trip was a one-on-one meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the city of Gabala, where the two leaders discussed regional security, energy cooperation, and the sharing of military expertise. This was announced by the President’s spokesperson Serhiy Nykyforov, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
According to Nykyforov, the Ukrainian leader began his visit to the South Caucasus nation by receiving a comprehensive report from Ukrainian military specialists currently stationed there. These experts are actively sharing Ukraine’s unique experience and tactical expertise in air defense and sky protection with their Azerbaijani counterparts. This highlights a significant shift in Ukraine’s diplomatic approach: Kyiv is not only receiving international military assistance but is also exporting its advanced, combat-tested security knowledge to bolster the defense capabilities of its allies.
Commenting on the visit during a national telethon, President Zelenskyy emphasized the historical significance of the trip. “This is my first visit to Azerbaijan during the years of the full-scale war. Important negotiations. Mutual respect and cooperation that strengthen both our nations,” the Head of State remarked. He further revealed that the delegations are actively working on finalizing five bilateral state agreements between Ukraine and Azerbaijan. These documents are expected to cover a wide range of strategic interests, including military-technical cooperation, enhanced energy security, economic initiatives, and continuous humanitarian support. Azerbaijan has been a steadfast provider of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, particularly in supplying energy equipment crucial for surviving Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
The trip to Azerbaijan marks the third leg of an intensive diplomatic tour undertaken by the Ukrainian President this week, aiming to strengthen ties with the Global South and European partners alike. On April 24, Zelenskyy arrived in Saudi Arabia, where he held high-level talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Jeddah. The discussions in the Kingdom focused on developing “strategic security arrangements,” with an emphasis on exporting Ukrainian air defense expertise, securing energy partnerships, and maintaining global food security. Saudi Arabia has frequently acted as a vital mediator in the conflict, particularly facilitating significant prisoner-of-war exchanges.
Prior to his Middle Eastern visit, Zelenskyy was in Cyprus on April 23. There, he participated in a special informal summit of European Union leaders, where he advocated for Ukraine’s rapid integration into the EU, tighter sanctions against the aggressor, and comprehensive support for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
This rigorous diplomatic marathon underscores Ukraine’s proactive foreign policy. By engaging with EU members, Middle Eastern powerhouses, and key players in the Caucasus, Kyiv is weaving a complex, multidimensional web of alliances that transcends traditional Western support and positions Ukraine as a formidable provider of global security expertise.