Zelensky makes first visit to Azerbaijan since Russia's full-scale invasion

Prefer on Google by Martin Fornusek Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Palacio de la Moncloa on March 18, 2026. (Alberto Gardin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Azerbaijan for talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said on April 25. The trip marks Zelensky 's first official visit to the South Caucasus since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It comes after the president's April 24 visit to Saudi Arabia, part of Kyiv's push to strengthen security and drone-technology cooperation with Gulf countries. Zelensky previously hinted that Ukraine eyes similar deals with countries in the South Caucasus. "(The president) has just received a briefing from Ukrainian military personnel, who are sharing Ukraine's experience and expertise in defending the skies," Nykyforov told journalists.