Expert: Azerbaijan may reconsider ban on arms supplies to Ukraine
11 August 15:32
Baku may lift restrictions on arms supplies to Kyiv if Russia does not stop its attacks on Azerbaijani energy facilities in Ukraine.
This opinion was expressed by Azerbaijani security and defense expert Ilham Ismayil, commenting on Russia’s recent attacks on the infrastructure of the Socar oil company, Ukrinform reports , "Komersant Ukrainian".
The expert also recalled that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Azerbaijan has been supporting Ukraine on a humanitarian basis. According to him, the next batch of aid was sent on August 10.
Earlier it was reported that Azerbaijan has allocated another $2 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Recently, Russia has carried out several attacks on Azerbaijani energy facilities located in Ukraine.
Here are the main facts about the attacks:
- SOCAR oil depot in Odesa region
On the night of August 8, Russian troops attacked the oil depot of the Azerbaijani company SOCAR with Shahed drones. The strike caused a fire and injured at least four employees. - Orlivka gas compressor station
Two days earlier, on August 6, the Russians struck a gas distribution station near the Romanian border. This station is a key element of the Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline, which transports Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine and Moldova.
Azerbaijan’s reaction
- President Ilham Aliyev called the strikes targeted attacks on Azerbaijan’s interests. He said that Russia was deliberately attacking the country’s energy infrastructure in Ukraine, but that this would not prevent further cooperation with Kyiv.
- In a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the two leaders condemned the attacks and reaffirmed their intention to continue their energy partnership despite Russian provocations.
Possible consequences
Baku is increasingly discussing the possibility of lifting the arms embargo on Ukraine if the attacks continue. This could be a response to the threat to Azerbaijan’s energy security.
