Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Damascus on Sunday to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, establishing a security cooperation agreement between the two countries. The visit marks Zelenskyy's first trip to Syria's capital since former leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024, signaling a diplomatic opening with Syria's new government.
The meeting carries strategic weight for Ukraine, which has developed expertise in countering drone and missile attacks during its more than four-year war with Russia. Zelenskyy told al-Sharaa that "there is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience." Syria currently lacks air defenses capable of dealing with Iranian drones or missiles, making Ukrainian expertise potentially valuable as Iran and its allied groups have launched strikes across the Middle East since the war began on February 28.
Zelenskyy's Damascus visit is part of a broader Middle East tour aimed at exporting Ukraine's military knowledge. During recent visits to Gulf states, Zelenskyy signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ukraine has already sent teams to offer drone-defense expertise to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Zelenskyy and al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday. The discussions covered "security and defence issues and the situation in the region due to all the events around Iran to energy and infrastructure cooperation between our countries," according to Zelenskyy's account.
Beyond military matters, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's role as a grain supplier. He told al-Sharaa that the two leaders "discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region." This economic dimension reflects Ukraine's effort to deepen ties with Middle Eastern partners on multiple fronts.
Zelenskyy's visit to Turkey the day before yielded additional agreements. He met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and agreed on "new steps" in security cooperation while discussing joint gas infrastructure projects and gasfield developments. These overlapping agreements suggest Ukraine is positioning itself as a multifaceted partner in regional stability and economic development.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Damascus on Sunday to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, establishing a security cooperation agreement between the two countries. Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that the leaders agreed to work together to provide "more security and opportunities for development for our societies." The visit marks Zelenskyy's first trip to Syria's capital since former leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024, signaling a diplomatic opening with Syria's new government.
The meeting carries strategic weight for Ukraine, which has spent more than four years developing expertise in countering drone and missile attacks during its war with Russia. Zelenskyy told al-Sharaa that "there is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience." Syria currently lacks air defenses capable of dealing with Iranian drones or missiles, making Ukrainian expertise potentially valuable as Iran and its allied groups have launched strikes across the Middle East since the war began on February 28.
Zelenskyy's Damascus visit is part of a broader Middle East tour aimed at exporting Ukraine's military knowledge. During recent visits to Gulf states, Zelenskyy signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Ukraine has already sent teams to offer drone-defense expertise to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The three-way talks in Damascus included Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who met with Zelenskyy, al-Sharaa, and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The discussions covered "security and defence issues and the situation in the region due to all the events around Iran to energy and infrastructure cooperation between our countries," according to Zelenskyy's account.
Beyond military matters, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's role as a grain supplier. He told al-Sharaa that the two leaders "discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region." This economic dimension reflects Ukraine's effort to deepen ties with Middle Eastern partners on multiple fronts.
Zelenskyy's visit to Turkey the day before yielded additional agreements. He met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and agreed on "new steps" in security cooperation while discussing joint gas infrastructure projects and gasfield developments. These overlapping agreements suggest Ukraine is positioning itself as a multifaceted partner in regional stability and economic development.
Highlighted text was flagged by the council. Tap to see feedback.
Ukraine has already sent teams to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, per the source text.