Azerbaijan backs peaceful resolution to Russia-Ukraine conflict, FM Bayramov says

Azerbaijan supports a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political dialogue.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made these remarks on May 25 during a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Baku, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“We want peace to be achieved between the sides,” Bayramov noted.

Speaking about bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, the Azerbaijani top diplomat said that both countries enjoy a strategic partnership founded on mutual respect, with Baku consistently supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“When Azerbaijani lands were under occupation, Ukraine also recognised our territorial integrity,” Bayramov emphasised, noting the high level of inter-parliamentary ties between the two countries and expressing satisfaction in this regard.

The Azerbaijani foreign minister also pointed out that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has lasted more than three years, has negatively affected economic relations between Baku and Kyiv.

“In February of this year, we held political consultations, and I consider it important to continue such contacts on a regular basis,” the minister added.

According to him, cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine within international organizations, including the UN, GUAM, and the OSCE, is developing successfully.

“Unfortunately, the Russia-Ukraine war has negatively impacted our economic ties. While trade turnover between the two countries reached one billion dollars in 2021, it dropped to 600 million in 2022, and to 350 million in 2023. However, in 2024 we are observing a 30% increase — up to 460 million dollars,” Bayramov added.

The foreign minister also mentioned the amount of humanitarian aid Azerbaijan has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

“To date, Azerbaijan has provided Ukraine with more than $40 million in humanitarian aid,” he stated.

For his part, Sybiha said Ukraine attaches great importance to the fact that Azerbaijan supports its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“Official Kyiv expresses gratitude to Baku for recognising Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Sybiha said.

According to him, today’s talks — both in narrow and extended formats — included discussions on the development of trade and economic relations.

“Yes, trade turnover shows a positive trend. However, there is potential for even greater growth. We agreed to hold intergovernmental commission meetings on this matter. Ukraine is ready to support Azerbaijani investments in our country,” the minister stated.

He also noted Ukraine’s readiness to end the conflict with Russia within this year.

“Official Kyiv is interested in ending the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation this year,” Sybiha said.

He stressed that the Ukrainian side supports resolving the conflict solely through democratic means.

“We accepted the United States' proposal for a ceasefire. We are ready to settle the issue only through diplomacy. The recent meeting in Istanbul, where a large-scale prisoner exchange was agreed upon, is proof of our intentions,” Sybiha said.

The Ukrainian foreign minister also noted that discussions are currently underway regarding a potential face-to-face meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia.

He further welcomed Azerbaijan’s planned participation in the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held this July in Rome.

According to Sybiha, Ukraine expects to receive a substantial aid package at the conference to support post-war reconstruction.

“I’m glad that a peace-oriented country like Azerbaijan will take part in this conference. We hope the allocated funds will genuinely help restore our country,” he said.

The Ukrainian minister added that today’s talks also included discussions on cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.

“Clearing mined territories is an integral part of the recovery process,” he concluded.

For the record, Andrii Sybiha is presently on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

By Khagan Isayev