Ukraine’s FM delivers Zelenskyy’s support message to new Syrian rebel leader

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha emphasized that the first official visit of a Ukrainian delegation to Syria in many years "marks the readiness to open a new chapter in bilateral relations between the countries."

"The elimination of Russian presence in Syria will contribute to the stability not only of the Syrian state but also of the entire Middle East and Africa. Even if it takes some time," added the head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine is counting on the restoration of diplomatic relations, political dialogue, and the functioning of diplomatic missions with Syria. He also noted that Kyiv is ready to resume the education of Syrian students in Ukraine.

The visit of Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to Syria is taking place on the instruction of President Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president expects a report from the Foreign Minister on the visit and negotiations, as stated by the President's Communication Advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, according to Interfax-Ukraine.

"Comments on this will primarily come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the visit is taking place on the president's instructions. The president's idea is to now activate contacts — to send food aid to Syria, the first batch, with more to follow under the Grain from Ukraine program. We are discussing some sensitive issues, including political ones. The president is now expecting a report on this visit and negotiations from Sybiha," Lytvyn said in a comment to journalists on Monday, December 30.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready to develop long-term, strategic relations with Syria

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the purpose of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to Syria.

“The Ukrainian delegation held important talks with the Syrian administration, leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa and ministers. We support the Syrian people in overcoming decades of dictatorial rule and restoring stability, security, and normal life in Syria,” he wrote on social media platform X.

He confirmed that the first 500 tons of Ukrainian wheat flour are due to arrive in Syria tomorrow, and that “there will be more deliveries, as well as more mutually beneficial cooperation in many areas.”

“We truly value the chance to restore normal and stable life in Syria and stand ready to develop long-term, strategic relations. I anticipate ministers Sybiha and Koval to provide me with their reports on the visit’s results upon their return to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy added.

Ministers discuss Ukraine-Syria agricultural cooperation

Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitali Koval, met with his Syrian counterpart, Mohamed Al Ahmad, to discuss areas of cooperation in agriculture. They talked about the goods Syria needs, including livestock products like meat and dairy, as well as wheat, barley, oil, sugar, and flour. To facilitate this trade, Syria plans to lift tariffs on Ukrainian products imposed by the Assad regime.

The ministers also discussed logistics for transporting Ukrainian goods to Syria. Koval pointed out that Syria is interested in transferring technology from Ukraine, especially in land reclamation and irrigation, as much of the country's land requires irrigation. They also talked about potential mutual trade: Ukraine could supply Syria with wheat, barley, oil, sugar, and flour, while Syria could export nuts and fruits to Ukraine.

Ukrainian delegation's first visit to Syria post-Assad: details

The visit of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to Syria was earlier reported by Syrian media and Reuters, citing the state news agency SANA.

The Ukrainian high-level delegation included the Minister of Agriculture and the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine.

Syrian journalist Fared Al Mahlool, who attended the meeting between Sybiha and al-Sharaa, also quoted several statements made by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister.

Specifically, Sybiha stated that he conveyed a message of support to Ahmad al-Sharaa from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The minister emphasized that Kyiv "looks forward to mutual recognition of the sovereignty of both countries in order to complete diplomatic representation in Syria."

"We offer assistance to the Syrian administration in the field of evidence collection, investigation, and monitoring of crimes. We seek to cooperate with the new administration of Syria in several areas," Sybiha stressed.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, more than 20 trucks carrying 500 tons of Ukrainian flour as part of the humanitarian program Grain from Ukraine will arrive in Syria on December 31. They are ready to deliver much more in the future.

He also informed the Syrian leader that Russia and Assad's regime are involved in committing crimes in Syria.

In turn, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shibani said, "There will be a strategic partnership between us and Ukraine at the political, economic, and social levels."

Background

On the morning of November 27, the Syrian opposition launched an offensive against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. By November 30, rebels had reached Aleppo, prompting Russian airstrikes on the city for the first time since 2016. Russia also pledged additional military aid to Assad’s forces.

On December 7, opposition forces announced they had taken control of Daraa. Days later, they entered Damascus and declared the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government.

By December 13, around 1,000 Russian troops left Damascus, traveling in a convoy toward Tartus and Khmeimim.

Later, reports indicated that Kyiv had established contact with Syria’s new authorities and expressed readiness to restore diplomatic relations — on the condition that the new government reverses Assad’s recognition of Ukraine’s territorial violations. Notably, on December 27, Ukraine delivered 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria as part of a humanitarian program.