Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov visited Kyiv for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. Defense cooperation, energy security and the further development of the strategic partnership between the two countries were at the center of the discussions.

Bayramov’s visit came as Russia continues its aerial attacks on Ukraine. According to Zelensky, strengthening cooperation between Kyiv and Baku was one of the main topics of the meeting.

“We discussed high-level diplomatic contacts, cooperation in the defense sector, and economic cooperation in energy, oil, natural gas and agriculture,” Zelensky said.

The two sides also focused on energy cooperation. Zelensky noted that Azerbaijan has already provided assistance to Ukraine in the energy sector and thanked Baku for its energy and humanitarian support, as well as for what he described as a “constructive dialogue.”

During his visit, Bayramov also traveled to Irpin, outside Kyiv, where he visited a school, a hospital and a rehabilitation center built with Azerbaijani support.

In a statement issued after the visit, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the political importance of bilateral relations, saying Bayramov and Zelensky discussed the current state of the strategic partnership and its future prospects. Azerbaijan and Ukraine are due to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

Bayramov reaffirmed Baku’s longstanding position on the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that Azerbaijan continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Zelensky, in turn, thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani government for their humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.