President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered statements to the press in Gabala on April 25, following high-level discussions on bilateral cooperation.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the frequency of high-level contacts, noting that this was the seventh meeting between the two heads of state in the last four years. "Our cooperation has a very strong political foundation," President Ilham Aliyev stated, referencing strategic partnership documents signed in 2008 and 2011. He reaffirmed that Azerbaijan and Ukraine consistently support each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity within international organizations. The President also pointed to the growing economic ties, with trade turnover exceeding $500 million, and noted the potential for joint production in the defense industry.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for Azerbaijan's consistent support and humanitarian assistance. He specifically mentioned the 11 aid packages provided by Azerbaijan to support Ukraine's energy sector and thanked President Ilham Aliyev for hosting over 500 Ukrainian children for rehabilitation. "Ukraine and Azerbaijan have always supported each other's independence," Zelenskyy remarked, adding that the two nations are exploring deeper cooperation in security and the joint production of weaponry to ensure regional stability. The Ukrainian leader also noted that six new bilateral documents were signed during the visit.
The meeting in Gabala reflects the deepening ties between Baku and Kyiv amid evolving regional dynamics. Azerbaijan has maintained a principled position on the territorial integrity of states while providing significant humanitarian aid to Ukraine. This diplomatic engagement further solidifies Azerbaijan's role as a reliable partner in Eurasia, balancing strategic energy interests with active humanitarian diplomacy and support for international law.
