Presidents knowing foreign languages provides them with many strategic, diplomatic, and managerial advantages. Leaders who know foreign languages do not depend on an interpreter in official international meetings, negotiations, and other events; they can communicate directly. Direct communication, in turn, increases trust in the leader and reduces the risk of any misunderstandings.
Observations show that presidents who speak foreign languages fluently appear more professional and prepared in the international arena. Thanks to this skill, they are more flexible in communicating with the media and world leaders.
Furthermore, foreign language proficiency enables presidents to obtain information directly from various sources. They grasp information more promptly and accurately without the need for translation.
Experts say that knowing a foreign language also helps to better understand the cultures, ways of thinking, and social dynamics of other countries, creating conditions for forming a balanced and successful foreign policy.
Observations show that multilingual leaders can establish more sincere and closer relationships with other presidents on a personal level. Personal diplomacy is often more effective than official protocols.
A president who knows a foreign language better understands the other party's thoughts, gestures, and tone during negotiations and can adapt their strategy more flexibly.
The **Modern.az** website has conducted research on the topic **"Presidents' Foreign Languages"**.
Currently, the most widely spoken languages in the field of diplomacy worldwide are considered to be **English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese**. In addition to these, Hindi, Russian, and Turkish languages also cover a wide geographical area.
Political leaders who can express themselves freely in diplomatic meetings and international forums without the need for an interpreter thereby shape their own image on the international stage and enhance their countries' prestige.
Currently, the ability to speak various languages is widespread among world leaders – however, the level and actual use of these skills vary. Therefore, most presidents primarily rely on interpreters in diplomatic meetings.
One of the political leaders who does not require an interpreter at international events is **Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.** The head of state's official biography notes that Ilham Aliyev knows four foreign languages in addition to Azerbaijani: **Russian, English, French, and Turkish**. This ability facilitates Ilham Aliyev's communication in diplomatic, political, and economic spheres both in the region and internationally.
On February 26, 2021, when President Ilham Aliyev held a press conference for local and foreign media representatives in Baku, his language proficiency surprised foreign journalists. The Azerbaijani President answered the questions of media representatives in 4 languages at that press conference.
Aynur Tattersal, an independent journalist from Great Britain who attended the briefing, said before addressing the Azerbaijani leader: **“Mr. President, we thank you for inviting us here. I think you have already set a world record for the length of a press conference. I have been involved in journalism for 25 years, but I have never witnessed any President conducting such a press conference in 4 languages.”**
Undoubtedly, for a country like Azerbaijan, located in both the post-Soviet and Turkic-speaking regions, and having ties in Western directions, the leader's knowledge of some foreign languages is of strategic importance. President Ilham Aliyev demonstrates the ability to cover the post-Soviet space in Russian, the Turkic world in Turkish, and the West in English during official meetings and negotiations.
Undoubtedly, direct communication with diaspora representatives, foreign investors, representatives of international organizations, and the media enhances the Azerbaijani President's prestige.
Although there are claims about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's foreign language proficiency, these have not been officially confirmed. Some sources state that Erdoğan can speak English and Arabic to some extent. However, there is no evidence that he speaks English or any other language fluently in official speeches or interviews. Erdoğan uses his native language – Turkish – in all international forums and diplomatic meetings. For this reason, the Turkish President is usually accompanied by his interpreter. Erdoğan's main interpreter is Fatma Gülham Abushanab. The Turkish President's veiled interpreter knows three languages at a high level: Turkish, English, and Arabic. This unique skill has enabled Fatma Gülham Abushanab to accompany Erdoğan on visits to both Eastern and Western countries.
**Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan** can speak Russian, English, and French in addition to his native Armenian. This gives him an advantage in his European-oriented and international diplomatic activities – especially in communication with the European Union and the West. It is true that Pashinyan does not demonstrate a perfect level when expressing himself in foreign languages, but observers are of the opinion that he “manages to get by.”
On August 15, 2025, when a historic meeting was held between **Russian leader Vladimir** Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, one detail did not go unnoticed. The presidents met hand-in-hand on the red carpet at the airport and had a brief impromptu conversation. There was no interpreter present with the leaders during this conversation. At that time, the presidents, who conversed with each other without an interpreter, spoke in English.
Information related to Russian President Vladimir Putin's biography states that, in addition to his native language, he knows two foreign languages: **German and English.**
According to information about the Russian leader, he knows German well. Vladimir Putin once served in East Germany for a period as a “KGB” employee.
According to reports, Putin also learned English after becoming president. However, it is noted that the Russian leader knows this language at a conversational level, not at a high level. Vladimir Putin, a “KGB” officer, very rarely speaks English in public. During diplomatic meetings, he generally does not use English, speaking only in Russian.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in addition to his native language (Kazakh), also knows **Russian and English** at a high level. There is information that he also uses Chinese (Mandarin) when appropriate. Such language proficiency allows Tokayev to speak with Eurasian, Chinese, and Western leaders simultaneously, which is a strategic advantage for a country with Kazakhstan's geographical position.
Incidentally, on November 6, 2025, US President Donald Trump received Central Asian leaders at the White House within the framework of a summit held in Washington. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan participated in the meeting. One of the notable points during the summit was that the heads of state delivered speeches in different languages.
Kyrgyz leader Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke in their native languages.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, however, conducted their discussions with Trump in Russian.
Only Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his speech in English.
According to observers, Tokayev's use of English demonstrated Kazakhstan's increasing diplomatic flexibility in relations with the West and its intention to be a “major player” in the international arena.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also among the political leaders who know several foreign languages. Zelenskyy speaks the state language – Ukrainian – in his official speeches.
In addition, he also speaks Russian at a high level.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy usually uses English in his speeches to the international community, in communication with foreign media, and in calls for international support. For Zelenskyy, this language choice is extremely important for conveying Ukraine's messages to both domestic and foreign audiences.
V. Zelenskyy speaks English without the need for an interpreter in meetings with European leaders and US President Donald Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron's native language is French. In addition, Macron's fluent knowledge of English enables him to conduct effective direct dialogue with European and Western states without interpreters. According to information, the French leader knows English sufficiently for international diplomacy and communication with Western media.
Some sources mention that Macron also knows German, but these claims have not been officially confirmed.
One of the presidents who stands out from his European counterparts in terms of foreign language proficiency is **Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić.** Information about him states that A. Vučić speaks English fluently and can speak French, Russian, and German. There are examples of Vučić speaking English at a sufficient level in international forums and foreign visits.
One of the leaders with whom Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev communicates without an interpreter is **Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.**
Masoud Pezeshkian can speak Azerbaijani, Farsi, and Kurdish well. His speaking different languages with local people during his visits to Iranian regions has repeatedly attracted media attention.
The ethnic and cultural diversity in Iran's West Azerbaijan region, where Masoud Pezeshkian was born, and the presence of both Kurdish and Turkic communities, have led to different perceptions about his parents' origin. However, Masoud Pezeshkian stated in several interviews, “My father is Turk, my mother is Turk, and I am proud to be Turk!”
In such an environment, the head of state's speaking not only Farsi but also Azerbaijani Turkic, Kurdish, and sometimes Arabic, is regarded as a gesture and message of solidarity addressed to various ethnic groups.
Masoud Pezeshkian spoke in Azerbaijani with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev both when he visited Baku and at some foreign events. In October of this year, a brief dialogue took place between Ilham Aliyev and Masoud Pezeshkian during the official photo session of leaders participating in a parade held in Beijing, the capital of China. The sincere dialogue between the presidents took place in Azerbaijani, a noteworthy moment that attracted the attention of foreign media...
**Afgan Gafarli**
