BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov's official visit to Ukraine marked another step in Baku's active diplomatic engagement aimed at maintaining and developing relations with different partners despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Notably, less than a month earlier, Azerbaijan's top diplomat had paid an official visit to Russia. The sequence of these high-level engagements clearly illustrates one of the defining features of Azerbaijan's foreign policy – maintaining and advancing constructive relations with both Ukraine and Russia while remaining firmly committed to its national interests and the principles of international law.
At a time when the international system is undergoing profound transformation, Baku continues to pursue a balanced foreign policy. Strengthening ties with one side is not viewed as an obstacle to cooperation with the other. Instead, Azerbaijan consistently expands political dialogue, economic cooperation, transport connectivity and humanitarian engagement with both Moscow and Kyiv, while advocating the settlement of international conflicts exclusively through political and diplomatic means.
It is in this context that Bayramov's official visit to Russia in mid-July should be viewed. During the talks, the parties discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, transport, humanitarian ties and regional security. One of the practical outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Consultation Plan between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Russia, providing for continued regular diplomatic engagement on bilateral and international issues.
Following the talks, Bayramov also announced that some direct flights between Azerbaijan and Russia are expected to resume in the near future, which is expected to further facilitate business and people-to-people contacts. At the same time, the minister reaffirmed Azerbaijan's consistent position in favor of an early cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and a diplomatic settlement of the conflict based on the norms and principles of international law.
Against this backdrop, Bayramov's subsequent visit to Kyiv should not be viewed as a shift in Azerbaijan's foreign policy priorities. On the contrary, it underscores the consistency of Baku's diplomacy, which continues to maintain active political dialogue with both countries while remaining firmly committed to its own principles.
During his official visit to Ukraine, Bayramov held one-on-one talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, followed by expanded discussions involving the two delegations. The parties discussed political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, energy, transport, humanitarian projects, as well as regional and international security issues.
Particular attention was devoted to the principles of international law. Bayramov once again reaffirmed Azerbaijan's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. In turn, the Ukrainian side reiterated its support for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At the same time, Baku once again stressed that it supports an end to hostilities and the resolution of the conflict exclusively through diplomatic means. This position remains unchanged and fully reflects the statements made by Azerbaijan's foreign minister just weeks earlier during his visit to Moscow.
The humanitarian agenda also featured prominently in the talks. It was noted that since the escalation of the war, Azerbaijan's humanitarian assistance to Ukraine has exceeded $50 million. Azerbaijan has supplied energy equipment, participated in the restoration of social infrastructure, implemented reconstruction projects in Irpin, supported rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian children and continued to contribute to the functioning of civilian infrastructure.
A symbolic continuation of these efforts was Bayramov's visit to Irpin, where Azerbaijan has already supported the restoration of social facilities and presented new initiatives for the reconstruction of the city's infrastructure.
Energy cooperation also occupied an important place on the agenda. Against the backdrop of continuing challenges to European energy security, Azerbaijan reaffirmed its readiness to consider commercially viable and technically feasible options for using Ukraine's underground gas storage facilities, as well as the possibility of supplying Azerbaijani natural gas to Ukraine should the need arise.
SOCAR's continued presence on the Ukrainian market despite the ongoing war also reflects both countries' commitment to preserving economic cooperation. The company continues to supply fuel, participate in humanitarian initiatives and support the restoration of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Trade figures also point to the gradual recovery of economic ties. While bilateral trade amounted to approximately $900 million in 2021, it declined to around $350 million following the outbreak of the war. However, last year trade exceeded $500 million once again, while during the first six months of this year it approached $280 million, indicating that businesses are gradually adapting to the new environment and that both sides remain interested in expanding cooperation.
The talks also covered prospects for broader cooperation in investment, transport, science, education, healthcare, culture and youth policy. The Azerbaijani side also briefed its Ukrainian partners on the normalization process with Armenia, large-scale reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories and the continuing threat posed by landmines.
Commenting on the outcome of the visit, Member of Azerbaijan's Parliament and member of the Azerbaijan-Ukraine interparliamentary working group Kamran Bayramov told Trend that the Azerbaijani foreign minister's official visit to Ukraine confirms the steady development of the strategic partnership between the two countries and the high level of political dialogue.
According to him, the reaffirmation of both sides' commitment to the principles of international law, as well as the further expansion of humanitarian, economic and energy cooperation, is of particular importance.
“The recovery of bilateral trade, the expansion of investment opportunities and discussions on new formats of energy cooperation demonstrate the determination of both sides to make more effective use of the existing potential,” the lawmaker said.
Taken together, Bayramov's two successive visits – first to Russia and then to Ukraine – underscore the consistency of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Baku does not view its relations with Moscow as being at odds with cooperation with Kyiv. Instead, it continues to maintain constructive political dialogue with both countries while remaining committed to the principles of international law and advocating the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
This multi-vector diplomacy remains one of the defining features of Azerbaijan's modern foreign policy. By simultaneously expanding political, economic, transport and humanitarian ties with different partners, Baku continues to demonstrate its ability to pursue an independent and pragmatic foreign policy that serves the country's national interests while strengthening its role as an important regional player.
