Azerbaijan FM visits Ukraine amid thaw in Russia ties

Azerbaijani FM visits Ukraine

Azerbaijan‘s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov paid an official visit to Ukraine on 6 August. It was the first visit by an Azerbaijani foreign minister to Kyiv since the start of Russia‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Bayramov began his visit with a trip to Irpin, where he viewed an exhibition of Ukrainian-made drones and laid a wreath at a memorial to fallen defenders at Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. He also held meetings with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and National Security and Defence Council Secretary Ihor Klymenko.

One of the most notable announcements was Azerbaijan’s stated willingness to supply Ukraine with natural gas if needed. The two sides also discussed the possible use of Ukraine’s underground gas storage facilities to strengthen regional energy security.

These developments are significant both regionally and internationally, particularly in the context of Azerbaijan’s relations with Russia. In mid-July, Bayramov met Sergei Lavrov in Moscow and said the “difficult period” in bilateral relations was over and that ties had been fully normalised. A few weeks later, in Kyiv, he reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also signalling Baku’s interest in expanding energy cooperation.

The visit illustrates Baku’s multi-vector foreign policy. While maintaining dialogue with Russia, Azerbaijan has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and has expressed its readiness to support the country in the energy sector if required.

Symbolic and practical significance of the Irpin visit

Irpin was one of the towns where the Russian advance on Kyiv was halted in 2022. Hundreds of civilians were killed during the fighting, and more than 70% of the town’s housing stock was destroyed.

Azerbaijan has contributed to Irpin’s reconstruction.

The minister laid flowers at the bust of academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the park named after her, and visited the Zarifa Aliyeva Linguistic Lyceum and Irpin Central City Polyclinic, both rebuilt with Azerbaijan’s support. He was also briefed on future reconstruction projects, including plans to restore the town’s House of Culture.

In his statement, Zelensky said Bayramov had visited a school, a hospital and a rehabilitation centre supported by Azerbaijan. The visit to Irpin was seen as a demonstration of humanitarian solidarity with Ukraine, as well as Azerbaijan’s willingness to share its experience in rebuilding territories recovered from occupation.

The visit to a town devastated by Russian forces, together with Bayramov’s review of reconstruction efforts and Azerbaijan’s continued support, was seen as underscoring Baku’s intention to reaffirm its longstanding position despite the “normalisation” of relations with Moscow, particularly its commitment to the principle of territorial integrity.

Following the official welcoming ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, Bayramov and Sybiha viewed an exhibition of Ukrainian-made drones. They then laid a wreath at the Memorial to the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine and observed a moment of silence in their honour.

Meetings and gas supply pledge

During expanded talks with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the two sides discussed their strategic partnership, trade, energy, transport, humanitarian cooperation and regional security. Bayramov reiterated the need for an early end to the fighting and a diplomatic settlement based on international law, while reaffirming Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

He said Azerbaijan’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine had exceeded 50 million US dollars. Bayramov also highlighted reconstruction projects in Irpin and rehabilitation programmes for children.

During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the discussions focused on Russian attacks, the situation in the Black Sea, the disruption of grain export routes, defence cooperation, and cooperation in the energy, oil and gas, and agricultural sectors.

Zelensky thanked Azerbaijan for its energy and humanitarian assistance, as well as for maintaining constructive dialogue. Bayramov, in turn, spoke about the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus and reconstruction efforts in the territories regained by Azerbaijan.

At a joint press conference, particular attention was drawn to Bayramov’s remarks on possible gas supplies: “If the need arises, we will be ready to supply gas to our friendly Ukraine.”

He highlighted SOCAR’s long-standing presence on the Ukrainian market, as well as the importance of Ukraine’s underground gas storage system – the largest in Europe – for regional energy security.

The statement can be seen as signalling Azerbaijan’s willingness to contribute to the diversification of Ukraine’s energy supplies, while also supporting alternative routes for Caspian gas exports to Europe. Against the backdrop of Russia’s strikes on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine, Baku’s offer also underscores the importance of competition and diversification in the energy sector.

During meetings with Kyrylo Budanov and Ihor Klymenko, the sides also discussed regional and international security, as well as prospects for energy cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of state sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.

Expert: “Azerbaijan will continue to provide Ukraine with political, economic and humanitarian support”

lkhan Shahinoglu, head of the Atlas Research Centre and a political commentator considered close to the Azerbaijani authorities, wrote that the visit is being closely watched by Russia:

The Kremlin will closely monitor Jeyhun Bayramov’s meetings in Kyiv. Azerbaijan’s partnership with any country is an exclusive sovereign right, and no other state has the right to interfere in that process.

At the same time, Russia, which is waging a war of conquest against Ukraine, closely watches those who cooperate with Kyiv. President Ilham Aliyev‘s response to the same question from Ukrainian journalist Gordon, asked at the Shusha Global Media Forum two years in a row – that ‘Ukraine should not reconcile itself to occupation’ – angered chauvinistic circles in Russia. They believe Azerbaijan should accept the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of Ukrainian territories.

Just as Jeyhun Bayramov visited Moscow some time ago, he has now travelled to Kyiv. Ukraine is Azerbaijan’s partner, and Baku will continue to provide it with political, economic and humanitarian support.”