Presidential aide: Baku sees Russia-Ukraine war “as a tragedy,” stands ready to help

Azerbaijan views the Russia-Ukraine war as a tragedy and is ready to contribute to efforts to help resolve the conflict if assistance is requested, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said.

In an interview with Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, Hajiyev noted that Baku maintains historical ties with both Russia and Ukraine and that President Ilham Aliyev’s ability to communicate with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could make Azerbaijan useful if the parties turn to Baku for support, Caliber.Az reports.

Hajiyev praised US President Donald Trump’s efforts to seek a negotiated settlement to the war, while stressing that Azerbaijan would be ready to provide support if required.

“If anything is asked from Azerbaijan ... we are ready to contribute and support,” Hajiyev stressed.

Turning to the South Caucasus, Hajiyev said Trump’s successful efforts to achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia had reshaped the region’s strategic landscape and ushered in a new era in relations between Washington and Baku. According to him, Trump’s personal involvement was a key factor in achieving agreements that the international community had failed to secure for decades.

“President Trump and his arrival to this office completely changed United States and Azerbaijan's cooperation and partnership. And the most important thing: the peace. And he delivered the peace to the region of the South Caucasus,” Hajiyev stressed.

Addressing the situation in Iran, Hajiyev said that Azerbaijan, despite rising regional tensions, believes a diplomatic settlement remains possible. He noted that Baku supports the negotiation process and is ready to contribute to efforts to ease tensions in the region.

Hajiyev separately described Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel as a strategic partnership. According to him, cooperation between the two countries encompasses defence and technology, education, agriculture, energy, trade and security.

He also highlighted the historical ties between Azerbaijan and its Jewish community.

“I'm really more than proud to say that there was not a single case of antisemitism in my country, and the Jewish community has a vibrant and dynamic life in Azerbaijan,” the presidential aide emphasised.

By Jeyhun Aghazada