From electricity to energy: Baku-Kyiv stand united against challenges Ukrainian pundits talk to Caliber.Az

Staying true to its commitment to the principles of humanism, Azerbaijan continues to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine across various sectors as it endures the impact of ongoing military conflict. Another example of this was the dispatch of the first shipment of humanitarian cargo consisting of electrical equipment from the territory of the Sumgayit Technological Park on August 13. This aid was organised by the Ministry of Energy in accordance with a decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev on August 11, 2025.

The shipment includes approximately 90,000 meters of electric cables and wires, 25 generators, and seven transformers. Delivered by a convoy of 10 cargo trucks, this first batch of equipment is intended to help restore stable electricity supplies to regions of Ukraine affected by the war. A second shipment—valued at $2 million—is scheduled for delivery in the coming days.

To date, Azerbaijan’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine has surpassed $44 million. Baku’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm.

How is Azerbaijan’s support being received in Ukraine? Caliber.Az reached out to Ukrainian experts and political analysts to find out.

Doctor of Political Science Petro Oleshchuk noted that Ukrainian-Azerbaijani relations have always been special — Azerbaijan knows firsthand what it means to have parts of its territory occupied, and this is exactly what Ukraine is going through now.

"Recently, Azerbaijan provided a very telling example of restoring control over its territories within internationally recognised borders, and moreover, solidified this in a draft peace agreement that reflects Baku's interests. Ukraine welcomes the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which not only resolves disputed issues but also helps rid the region of prolonged Russian influence, effectively initiating a process of pushing Russia out," the pundit said.

According to him, the new shipment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine is yet another demonstration of Azerbaijan’s goodwill in defence of justice.

“Ukrainians are deeply grateful to Azerbaijan for any form of support. In recent years, our bilateral relations have gained renewed momentum. While cooperation between our countries has always been broad, the arrival of Azerbaijani gas in Ukraine marks a particularly significant development. Diversifying our energy sources is crucial, especially as Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure.

At the same time, it's strategically important for Ukraine to see more Azerbaijani gas and oil entering European markets, pushing out Russian suppliers. This trend has not gone unnoticed in Moscow," he emphasised. 

According to him, the energy sector is strengthening the overall strategic partnership between Kyiv and Baku: “I believe the terrorist attack on facilities of the Azerbaijani oil company SOCAR in Ukraine was a Russian response to the deepening cooperation between our countries — something that clearly doesn’t sit well with them.”

He pointed out that it’s not just about support, but also about joint development: 

“There are promising opportunities in the oil and gas sector, as well as in joint projects related to weapons production and related technologies. Ukraine has developments that could be of interest to Azerbaijan, which is a major defence market. This opens up a wide horizon for expanding cooperation.”

The pundit believes that this strategic alignment of views enhances the practical cooperation between the two countries.

"Today, among the post-Soviet states, it is Ukraine and Azerbaijan that are most decisively challenging Russian neo-imperialism and attempts to revive imperialist influence. This creates additional opportunities for deepening partnership, and I am confident that cooperation will only grow stronger. For Ukraine, Azerbaijan is one of the key potential partners in the region, a source of interaction in various fields — economic and beyond. And I believe that Ukraine, in turn, can be very useful for Azerbaijan," Oleshchuk concluded.

According to Ukrainian diplomat and international lawyer Vadym Triukhan, Ukraine is very grateful to Azerbaijan for its position in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence, as well as for the decision by the Azerbaijani government to provide a $2 million humanitarian aid package.

“We also hope that Baku will start supplying weapons to Ukraine, since the Azerbaijani army uses equipment very similar to what Ukraine already has. This means the Ukrainian armed forces won’t need extra time to train personnel on how to use the new weapons, which I believe Azerbaijan will provide,” the political analyst emphasised.

In his view, Russia is not interested in Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence any more than it is in Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and growing role in the region—especially regarding the allied relationship between Baku and Ankara.

“Russia will do everything it can to drive a wedge between Azerbaijan and Armenia, to separate Azerbaijan from Türkiye. That is why we have no choice but to cooperate, support each other, and jointly overcome the challenges coming from Russia,” Vadym Triukhan concluded.