Azerbaijan's state-owned oil company, SOCAR, has confirmed to the BBC that it will provide free fire and ambulance services to Ukraine - until the conflict lasts.

According to foreign media, the Telegraph reports, the move comes after a phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Aliyev also pledged to provide Ukraine with deliveries of medicine and medical equipment.

The Russian occupation of Ukraine has put the Azerbaijani leader in a difficult position.

He is wary of Russia and signed an alliance agreement with President Vladimir Putin on the day the latter recognized Ukraine's separatist regions last week.

But he also has close ties to the EU and Turkey, both of which have condemned Russia's aggression.

Aliyev faced domestic criticism for his deal with Putin and for his outspoken support for Ukraine.

Prior to the invasion, Aliyev also signed an agreement with the EU to increase gas supplies to the bloc.

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Telegraphy

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