Azerbaijan has issued a stark warning regarding its arms embargo on Ukraine, suggesting that it may reconsider its stance if Russian military actions continue to target energy infrastructure crucial to Azerbaijan. This declaration follows recent Russian attacks that damaged the state-owned SOCAR oil depot in the Odesa region of Ukraine, resulting in casualties and further straining relations amid the ongoing conflict.
Officials with knowledge of the situation conveyed to Azerbaijani news outlet Caliber that the rising frequency of strikes by Russia, particularly those affecting facilities related to energy supplies, has prompted Baku to reassess its policies. Notably, these concerns intensified after a Russian assault on a gas distribution station linked to the Trans-Balkan pipeline in late June, a key route for delivering gas from Azerbaijan to Ukraine.
Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, Azerbaijan has maintained a neutral position by not supplying arms to either party in the conflict. However, it has provided substantial humanitarian aid to Ukraine, totaling over $40 million. Recent efforts by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev included signing an order for a $2-million package of humanitarian support, which encompasses Azerbaijani-made electrical equipment intended for Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy.
The escalation of Russian attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure aims to undermine the nation’s economy and affect morale and trade connections. Should these aggressions continue, insiders have indicated that Azerbaijan is poised to take action to safeguard its national interests. This could potentially include the transfer of weapons from its reserves to Ukraine, specifically Soviet-era and Russian-made arms, which might feature artillery systems such as the 2S1 Gvozdika and 2S3 Akatsiya.
This developing situation underscores the complexities of international relations in the context of the ongoing war and highlights Azerbaijan’s strategic concerns tied to its energy assets and regional partnerships.
