GABALA, Azerbaijan — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to hold trilateral peace talks in Azerbaijan in the near future if Russia is prepared to engage in diplomacy.
Speaking at a joint press conference after talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Zelenskyy said it was very important for Ukraine that Russia finds the will to end what he described as an unjust war.
He said Ukraine highly values the role of international partners in supporting mediation efforts and added that peace initiatives were among the issues discussed with Aliyev.
Zelenskyy also said six bilateral documents were signed during the visit in several sectors, including security cooperation.
He described agreements on the joint development of the two countries’ defense industries as a very significant step.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Ukraine are engaged in serious cooperation, which was reaffirmed during the visit.
The Azerbaijani president added that both sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade, currently valued at more than $500 million.
In addition to political dialogue, the two leaders reviewed opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector.
Previous peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were held with U.S. mediation, but momentum has slowed in recent months amid wider regional tensions.
Source: Saudi Gazette