Azerbaijan may strengthen cooperation with Ukraine amid tensions with Russia – expert

02.07.2025 17:32

Ukrinform

Serhii Danylov, deputy director at the Association of Middle East Studies, believes that the growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia are creating new opportunities for closer ties between Kyiv and Baku. However, due to the complex geopolitical landscape, it is unlikely that Azerbaijan will provide Ukraine with weapons.

Speaking on Radio NV, Danylov described the current deterioration in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia as "unprecedented," noting that the level of tension now exceeds that following Russia's downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane over Grozny on December 25 of last year, according to Ukrinform.

Commenting on the potential for improved Ukraine-Azerbaijan relations, Danylov predicted that Azerbaijan's leadership might take certain practical steps to deepen cooperation.

"We're seeing a clear rise in Ukraine being portrayed positively — as a symbol of resistance — and growing sympathy for Ukraine in Azerbaijan's information space. There's a trend of drawing parallels between Russia's brutal treatment of migrants and its brutality toward Ukrainians. Russia's image is worsening, while Ukraine's is improving. Will this translate into deeper engagement? I think it will, including at a symbolic level, with possible concrete steps from Azerbaijan to strengthen cooperation," Danylov said.

Still, he expressed skepticism about potential arms transfers from Azerbaijan to Ukraine.

"There are several reasons for this. Azerbaijan itself needs weapons, and it's caught between Iran and Russia. The fear of Russia still plays a role," he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently held a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, during which he expressed support for Azerbaijan amid reports of Russia mistreating Azerbaijani citizens.