Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he does not believe Russia will be able to defeat Ukraine, praising the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people.
“Russia will not be able to defeat Ukraine, because Ukrainians have been striving for freedom throughout their history. They are fighters.”
The remarks are notable given Azerbaijan’s complex relationship with Moscow. While Baku has traditionally balanced its ties between Russia, Turkey, and the West, Aliyev’s comments are among the clearest public acknowledgments by a regional leader that Ukraine’s determination remains one of its greatest strategic advantages.
More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to resist despite facing a larger military, demonstrating that morale, national unity, and the will to fight can be as decisive as numbers on the battlefield.
Aliyev’s statement serves as another reminder that, for many international observers, Ukraine’s greatest strength is not only its weapons—but the resolve of its people.