Ukraine's foreign minister meets with Syrian leadership in Damascus
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus on Dec. 30, marking the first official Ukrainian delegation to Syria in years. During the trip, he held talks with Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
The visit follows the collapse of the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, amid a large-scale rebel offensive.
"This is the first visit of an official Ukrainian delegation to Syria in many years. It demonstrates our readiness to open a new chapter in bilateral relations with Syria," Sybiha said after the talks, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
He outlined plans for potential cooperation, including joint ventures, the establishment of industrial and food production, technology exchanges, and collaboration in cybersecurity and information protection. "We also hope to see a greater share of Syrian goods in our imports," he added.
During his visit, Sybiha also met with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir and Foreign Minister Asaad Hasan Al-Sheybani. Sybiha delivered a personal message from President Volodymyr Zelensky, pledging Ukraine’s support for Syria’s stability and recovery.
Earlier on Dec. 27, Zelensky announced that Ukraine had sent 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria as part of its "Grain from Ukraine" initiative.
"This shipment will provide food for over 33,000 Syrian families—or 167,000 Syrians—for a month. It is a free humanitarian aid package, and it is only the first batch. We are prepared to deliver significantly more," Sybiha said.
"Ukraine remains a guarantor of food security, helping others even in times of war. This stands in stark contrast to Russia, which exports bombs, death, and destruction to Syria, while Ukraine exports flour, life, and recovery."
The minister also highlighted Ukraine’s readiness to restore diplomatic ties, trade, and educational exchanges with Syria, contingent on Syria’s respect for international law, including Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He also announced that Ukraine is preparing to resume the education of Syrian students.
In his address, he also reflected on the atrocities the Russian-backed regime committed in Syria.
"When we in Ukraine saw the horrifying images from the Sednaya prison, we immediately recalled the torture chambers in the territories liberated from Russian occupation. Ukraine is ready to share its experience in collecting evidence, conducting investigations, and holding war criminals accountable for their actions," Sybiha said.
"We firmly believe that, in the long term, eliminating Russia's presence in Syria will contribute to the stability of Syria itself, as well as the entire Middle East and Africa—even if it takes time."
Kostiantyn Nechyporenko
