Ukrainian Foreign Minister Meets With New Syrian Leadership in Damascus

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Syria's newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on December 30 during his historic visit to Damascus, delivering a personal message from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Syrian people.

“First and foremost, please accept our heartfelt congratulations on the victory of the Syrian Revolution. This is a historic moment for Syria and a beacon of hope—a hope for renewal after years of suffering. We sincerely wish success, safety, and prosperity to Syria, a unique and ancient nation, the cradle of civilization,“ said Sybiha during his statement following talks in Damascus.

The Minister noted that he came to Syria to deliver a personal message from Zelenskyy to the Syrian people: “We stand with you. We are ready to support the Syrian people because Ukraine is invested in a stable Syria and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation.“

Sybiha stated that on December 31 over 20 trucks will arrive in Syria, delivering 500 tons of Ukrainian flour as part of the humanitarian initiative "Grain from Ukraine."

“Ukraine continues to uphold its role as a guarantor of global food security, extending aid even amidst war. This serves as a symbolic contrast: while Russia has sent bombs, death, and destruction to Syria, Ukraine delivers flour—offering life, hope, and the promise of renewal,“ Sybiha added.

He noted that Ukraine had to sever its diplomatic ties with the Syrian government in 2022 after the Bashar al-Assad regime recognized Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea and the temporary occupation of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“We believe that a new Syria will emerge as a state that respects international law, including Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This will pave the way for restoring diplomatic relations, resuming political dialogue, and reopening diplomatic missions,” Sybiha said.

The Minister emphasized that Ukraine is awaiting steps from the Syrian side. According to him, restoring diplomatic presence will enable the expansion of trade, collaboration in science and technology, culture, and education. Additionally, he announced that Ukraine is prepared to resume the education of Syrian students in Ukraine.

“Ukrainians and Syrians share deep historical ties, but also a shared pain in modern times. In recent years, both our nations have suffered greatly under the criminal regimes of Russia and Iran. The crimes they have committed against peaceful citizens of our countries, including women and children, can neither be justified nor forgotten,” stated Sybiha.

Earlier on December 27, Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated Ukraine will resume diplomatic relations with Syria if the new government reverses the decision made by Bashar al-Assad's regime that supported violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity.