President Zelenskyy visits Azerbaijan to discuss defense and energy cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, to meet with President Ilham Aliyev for discussions centered on defense, military-industrial cooperation, and energy security. The two leaders signed agreements aimed at joint arms production and strategic coordination. President Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is prepared to host peace negotiations with Russia in Azerbaijan, provided that Moscow is willing to engage in diplomacy. The visit follows Zelenskyy's recent trip to Saudi Arabia, where he offered to share Ukrainian expertise in countering Iranian-made drones. While sources differ slightly on the specific scope of the military partnership, both sides emphasized the potential for broad, long-term cooperation. Azerbaijan has maintained a supportive stance toward Ukraine's territorial integrity since the Russian invasion in 2022, providing humanitarian assistance. Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have faced historical tensions, exacerbated by specific incidents involving military aircraft. The visit underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to establish new defense partnerships as it continues its war against the Russian invasion.