Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Azerbaijan on Friday for discussions centered on security and energy, marking a significant diplomatic effort amid ongoing tensions with Russia. His visit follows a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, where Zelenskyy aimed to share Ukraine's drone technology with Gulf nations impacted by regional conflicts. Ukraine continues to bolster its military capabilities, with Zelenskyy noting that US weapon deliveries persist despite the war in Iran, and Ukrainian strikes are significantly damaging Russian resources.

In a notable development, Ukraine and Russia executed a prisoner swap, exchanging 193 soldiers each, highlighting one of the few areas of cooperation between the two nations during the prolonged conflict. Additionally, the Ukrainian defense ministry has taken action against a commander after images surfaced showing soldiers in dire conditions on the frontline.

In European affairs, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that while immediate EU membership for Ukraine is unlikely, there may be opportunities for Kyiv to participate in EU meetings without voting rights. This comes as Ukraine seeks to expedite its EU accession amid ongoing military challenges.