Zelenskiy Visits Damascus to Strengthen Ties with Syria

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy traveled to Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, where he received a warm reception from President Ahmed al-Sharah. Their discussions revolved around cooperation in food security and various exchanges.

The two leaders had previously met in New York during the United Nations General Assembly in September. Both Ukraine and Syria have faced significant aggression from Iran and Russia. Ukraine is enduring an ongoing invasion supported by Iran, while Syria has grappled with a civil war lasting over a decade, fueled by both Iranian and Russian support for deposed leader Bashar al-Assad. This common ground has seemingly propelled a desire for closer collaboration between Zelenskiy and Sharaa.

What makes this partnership noteworthy is Zelenskiy’s position as one of the few Jewish heads of state globally, alongside Sharaa’s controversial history as a former al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist. Before taking on his role in Syria, Sharaa, under the alias “Abu Mohammed al-Jolani,” led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist faction that opposed Assad and ultimately forced him to flee to Russia in December 2024.

Sharaa took to social media to share a highly orchestrated video of Zelenskiy’s arrival, featuring a grand welcome, complete with a red carpet and a military salute. The Ukrainian president was transported to the presidential palace for talks with senior Syrian officials. Notably, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also in attendance, representing a significant alliance in Syria following the HTS era.

In a social media update, Sharaa highlighted their discussions on enhancing economic collaboration and sharing expertise. He emphasized that this visit reinforces Syria’s commitment to broadening international partnerships for developmental and stability purposes.

Zelenskyy, in his message, indicated that he updated Sharaa on the current status of Russia’s invasion, advocating for enhanced security and opportunities for development for both nations. He also examined the potential for selling Ukrainian agricultural products to Syria. Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine remains a major supplier of wheat and aims to continue shipments to countries in the Middle East and Africa. By contrast, Syria’s agricultural landscape has been severely damaged by years of war, resulting in significant food production challenges.

“There’s a notable interest in sharing military and security insights,” Zelenskiy remarked post-meeting.

He added:

We discussed Ukraine’s role as a dependable food supplier and how we can collaborate to boost food security in the region. We’re aware of Syria’s energy and infrastructure difficulties and are prepared to work together for the benefit of our people.

According to Ukrainian state media, the primary outcome of this visit will be the reopening of embassies in both Kyiv and Damascus. Ukraine ended diplomatic relations with Syria in 2022 after Assad openly backed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha characterized the embassy reopening as a crucial step in solidifying their partnership, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to maintaining food supplies to Syria.

Moreover, the Syrian Arab News Agency echoed these sentiments, with both leaders discussing essential global food supply routes as pivotal for national stability amid international tensions.

This meeting marked the second direct encounter between Zelenskiy and Sharaa, who initially met at last year’s General Assembly. The focus then was on restoring ties and fostering collaboration. Zelenskiy had noted the importance of mutual respect and trust in strengthening their relationship.

Last December, Zelenskiy congratulated Sharaa on a significant historical event, calling Assad’s exit “a bright day for Syria and the world.”

While Sharaa is eager to develop relations with Ukraine, he is also navigating a cautious relationship with Russia. He previously visited Moscow and acknowledged Putin for his efforts in maintaining diplomatic ties.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy is ramping up diplomatic outreach in the Middle East, especially in light of the U.S.-Iran conflict. In recent weeks, he has visited Syria, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, forging defense agreements with these nations. In Saudi Arabia, he even offered to send military experts to assist against threats posed by Iran.

His proactive engagement does seem to concern Iran, with Iranian officials expressing discontent over Ukraine’s military assistance offerings. They argued that such support could be interpreted as endorsing what they view as acts of aggression against Iran.