Ukraine’s president thanks Azerbaijan for wartime support and aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Azerbaijan on its Independence Day, praising the country’s growing regional role and thanking Baku for its support during the war in Ukraine.

In a message addressed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Zelenskyy said Azerbaijan had “consistently elevated its role and prestige in regional and international affairs”, highlighting its importance in energy, logistics and economic cooperation, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

The Ukrainian leader described relations between Kyiv and Baku as strategic and expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s humanitarian and energy assistance to Ukraine during what he called an “exceptionally challenging period”.

Zelenskyy also thanked Azerbaijan for its participation in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian city of Irpin, as well as for rehabilitation and health programmes organised for Ukrainian children.

“These steps are a true manifestation of genuine solidarity and mutual respect between our nations,” he said.

The Ukrainian president reiterated Kyiv’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states within their internationally recognised borders, adding that adherence to these principles was essential for stability and security in the Black Sea-Caspian region.

Zelenskyy also pointed to what he described as “immense potential” for deeper cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan in energy, transport connectivity, infrastructure, logistics and security.

He said ongoing changes in global energy and supply chains would increase the strategic importance of both countries in maintaining regional interconnectivity.

“I firmly believe that the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership will strengthen further in the interest of our nations and peoples,” the message said.

Azerbaijan marks Independence Day on May 28, commemorating the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918 — the first democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim world.

By Vugar Khalilov