Ukraine offers gas storage, investment security in bid for closer ties with Baku

Following his visit to Baku, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that Ukraine is ready to serve as a strategic energy hub for Azerbaijan in Europe.

In a detailed statement posted on social media and reported by Caliber.Az, Sybiha outlined the outcomes of his meetings with Azerbaijani officials and emphasised Ukraine’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

“Like the EU, we view Azerbaijan as a key contributor to Europe’s energy security,” Sybiha wrote. “We are ready to support this through our expertise in energy transit and our gas storage facilities, which are the largest in Europe. Ukraine is ready to become a key energy hub for Azerbaijan in Europe.”

Sybiha underscored the strategic importance of Azerbaijan for Ukraine’s sustainable development, particularly in the energy sector, as well as its role in promoting a just and lasting peace. “Azerbaijan is a critically important partner,” he said, “and now is the time to give this partnership a new impulse, especially at the highest political level.”

He noted that this renewed momentum was previously agreed upon during a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Davos. During his own visit to Baku, Sybiha met with both President Aliyev and key government ministers.

“I spoke in detail about all these matters in every meeting, most notably with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and friend of Ukraine, Ilham Aliyev,” Sybiha said. “I personally thanked him for his principled stance in respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. I also expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s humanitarian and energy support from the very first days of the full-scale invasion and during our most difficult winters — for sheltering Ukrainians, supporting the recovery of our children, and helping to rebuild Irpin.”

In meetings with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Sybiha said the two sides reviewed the full range of bilateral relations, with a strong focus on trade, investment, and energy cooperation.

“We agreed to work toward holding the next session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in the near future,” he reported.

Sybiha also addressed the role of Azerbaijani businesses in Ukraine and the prospects for increasing investments, emphasizing Ukraine’s stability and appeal even amid wartime conditions. “Despite the Russian invasion, Ukraine remains an attractive market and a reliable partner. We will support and protect Azerbaijani investments in the Ukrainian economy.”

He further briefed Azerbaijani officials on Ukraine’s negotiations with the European Union and the potential implications of EU membership for Azerbaijani investors and companies.

The two sides also discussed Azerbaijan’s expected participation in the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference, scheduled for July 10–11 in Rome. “Kyiv is counting on Baku’s participation,” Sybiha said. He highlighted demining as another important area of cooperation, noting Azerbaijan’s significant experience and proprietary technologies. “These capabilities are greatly needed in Ukraine,” he concluded

By Tamilla Hasanova