Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday, marking the first visit by a Ukrainian head of state to Syria and cementing a rapid diplomatic reversal between the two nations.
The leaders agreed to expand security cooperation as Ukraine leverages its battlefield expertise from the war with Russia to forge new partnerships across the Middle East. Zelenskyy's visit comes amid the broader US-Israeli conflict with Iran, creating opportunities for Ukraine to position itself as a valuable security partner in the region.
We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President — Telegram
The diplomatic breakthrough represents a stunning reversal from just sixteen months ago, when Syria under Bashar al-Assad recognized Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories in June 2022. That move prompted Kyiv to sever diplomatic ties and impose a trade embargo on Damascus.
Assad's flight to Moscow in December 2024 following a rapid opposition offensive opened the door for renewed engagement. Ukraine moved quickly to rebuild ties with Syria's new leadership, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha visiting Damascus within days of Assad's departure and Ukraine dispatching 500 tons of wheat flour through its Grain from Ukraine program.
Frames the visit within the broader context of the US-Israeli war on Iran, emphasizing Ukraine's strategic positioning as a security partner across the Middle East. Highlights the practical aspects of military cooperation and Ukraine's grain diplomacy, presenting the diplomatic turnaround as part of regional realignment following Assad's ouster.
Takes a straightforward diplomatic approach, focusing on the bilateral security cooperation agreement without extensive geopolitical context. Emphasizes Ukraine's regional tour and military expertise sharing as part of its broader Middle East engagement strategy.
Emphasizes the historic nature of the visit and frames it as a diplomatic victory for Ukraine, highlighting the rapid turnaround from diplomatic rupture to cooperation. Stresses Ukraine's proactive role in rebuilding ties and positions the partnership as mutually beneficial for both nations' development.
CGTN frames the visit as a straightforward diplomatic development without editorial commentary, reflecting China's cautious approach to both the Ukraine conflict and Syria's new leadership. The minimal coverage suggests Beijing views this cooperation skeptically, as it potentially complicates China's relationships with Russia and its broader Middle East strategy.
The outlet emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Ukraine-Syria cooperation beyond just security, highlighting food supply and energy partnerships that align with Saudi Arabia's regional stabilization interests. This framing reflects Riyadh's support for Syria's new government and its desire to see reduced Russian influence in the region through alternative partnerships.
Daily Sabah prominently features Turkey's Foreign Minister's simultaneous presence in Damascus, positioning Ankara as the key facilitator of this Ukraine-Syria rapprochement. This framing emphasizes Turkey's central role in regional diplomacy and its success in balancing relationships with both Ukraine and Syria's new leadership while marginalizing Russian influence.
There is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President — Telegram
Ukraine's outreach to Syria fits a broader strategy of marketing its drone warfare capabilities and air defense expertise to Middle Eastern partners. Over the past week, Zelenskyy signed long-term military cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and has sent technical teams to the UAE as well.
Syria lacks effective air defenses against Iranian drones and missiles, making Ukrainian expertise particularly valuable as regional tensions escalate. The timing of Zelenskyy's visit coincides with ongoing attacks by Iran and its allied groups against US, Israeli, and Gulf targets using various missile and drone systems.
Beyond security matters, the leaders discussed food security cooperation, with Zelenskyy emphasizing Ukraine's role as a reliable grain supplier to the region. The Ukrainian president also addressed Syria's energy and infrastructure challenges, offering cooperation to expand capabilities for both nations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined the discussions in a trilateral format, reflecting Turkey's role as a key regional player and its own complex relationships with both Ukraine and Syria's new government.
The visit caps Zelenskyy's Middle East tour, which included stops in Turkey where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss gas infrastructure projects and security cooperation. For Ukraine, these partnerships offer both economic opportunities and potential leverage in its ongoing conflict with Russia.