Syria and Ukraine signed a joint statement to restore diplomatic relations during a meeting between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Zelensky wrote on X that his country welcomes this important step and expressed readiness to support the Syrian people in their path toward stability.

During talks with al-Sharaa, the two sides discussed a wide range of sectors for cooperation, as well as common security threats and the importance of addressing them, according to Zelensky. He added that both countries agreed to build relations based on mutual respect and trust.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha visited the Syrian capital Damascus and met al-Sharaa on December 30, 2024, shortly after the fall of the former regime.

During his meeting with al-Sharaa, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister expressed his country’s aspiration for mutual recognition between Ukraine and Syria of each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Siebiega stated during a press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani that Ukraine will provide 500 tons of flour as aid to Syria, voicing his country’s readiness to cooperate with Syria’s new administration in many fields.

He said the new administration would ensure its country’s security if it worked to remove Russian forces from Syria.

He noted that he conveyed a message of support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to al-Sharaa, expressing his belief in the development of relations between the two countries.

He added that Russia was a partner of the Assad regime “in committing atrocities,” signaling his country’s willingness to assist Syria in gathering evidence and investigating “the crimes of the former regime and Russia.”

On December 27, 2024, the Ukrainian president announced that a humanitarian convoy carrying 500 tons of wheat flour, as part of the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, was on its way to Syria.

This came after Russia suspended wheat shipments to Syria on December 13, following the fall of the Assad regime, citing concerns about the new administration and delayed payments.

A day later, Ukraine, one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of grains and oilseeds, declared its readiness to supply food to Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Economic Relations

On September 23, Qutaiba Badawi, head of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, met with a Ukrainian delegation led by Odesa Port Director Maksym Garber.

Discussions focused on facilitating shipments of Ukrainian grains and oils to Syria and exploring investment opportunities in free zones near Syrian ports, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The two sides also discussed ways to expand cooperation in exporting Syrian products to Ukraine, particularly phosphates, to help strengthen and diversify economic and trade ties.

Ukraine severed relations with Syria in 2022 after the former Syrian regime recognized the independence of territories claimed by Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.