KYIV: Ukraine and Azerbaijan have signed six cooperation agreements, aimed at bolstering their joint efforts in defense and security.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the development during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, highlighting the strategic importance of these partnerships amid ongoing regional tensions.

The pacts come as Ukraine seeks to export its expertise in countering drone attacks, particularly following years of Russian aggression.

Noting the significant role of security and the defense-industrial complex, Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainian experts are already working in Azerbaijan, a key player along the Caspian Sea and a former Soviet republic with a strained relationship with Russia.

This development follows an incident in early March where Iranian drones launched from Iran struck an Azerbaijani airport, causing casualties and raising fears of regional conflict escalation.

Since then, relations between Baku and Tehran have further deteriorated.

In addition to these security-focused agreements, Zelensky also expressed readiness for trilateral talks with Azerbaijan involving Russia, should Moscow demonstrate a willingness to engage constructively.

This offer reflects Ukraine's ongoing efforts to build international support against Russian aggression.

Azerbaijan has consistently voiced support for Ukrainian sovereignty and provided humanitarian aid since the 2022 Russian invasion.

The warming of ties between Kyiv and Baku presents a strategic opportunity for enhanced regional security cooperation, particularly in countering aerial threats.