DAMASCUS: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed on Sunday that Ukraine was ready to cooperate with Syria to expand opportunities and promote development for both nations, following talks with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
In a post on the social platform X, Zelensky described the discussions with President Al-Sharaa as positive, noting that they focused on working together to strengthen security and development prospects for their societies.
Zelensky added that Ukraine understands the challenges Syria faces in the fields of energy and infrastructure and expressed Kyiv’s readiness to cooperate in addressing these issues.
The Ukrainian president also said the meeting addressed opportunities to enhance food security in the region, highlighting Ukraine’s role as a reliable supplier of food products.
Zelensky arrived earlier on Sunday in Damascus on an official visit and was received by President Al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace.
Syria and Ukraine signed a joint statement last September on restoring diplomatic relations during a meeting between Presidents Al-Sharaa and Zelensky in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
In recent weeks, Zelensky has visited several countries across the Middle East, offering Ukrainian expertise in countering drone and missile attacks.
In Turkiye on Saturday, Zelensky said he had agreed on “new steps” in security cooperation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and discussed opportunities in joint gas infrastructure projects and gas field development.
“Today in Damascus we continue our active Ukrainian diplomacy aimed at real security and economic cooperation,” Zelensky said on X after his arrival.
It was the Ukrainian leader’s first trip to Syria since diplomatic relations were re-established at the end of last year following the fall of Bashar Assad.
