Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held formal talks with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday, marking his first visit to the Syrian capital since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The trip is part of a broader diplomatic push by Kyiv to secure military cooperation and regional partnerships as the war with Russia enters its fifth year.
Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that the two leaders reached an agreement to work together to provide “more security and opportunities for development for our societies.” He noted that there is “a great interest in exchanging military and security experience” between the two nations.
Kyiv is actively offering its military expertise to governments across the Middle East, specifically regarding the defense against drone and missile strikes. This strategy comes as Iran and its allied groups have engaged in persistent attacks against targets in Israel, the United States, and various Gulf states since the regional conflict began on February 28.
While Syria currently lacks air defense systems capable of countering modern Iranian drones or missiles, the partnership suggests a shift in the regional security architecture. The visit follows Zelenskyy’s recent tour of Gulf states, where he signed long-term military cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as a visit to Jordan to bolster security ties.
Diplomacy and food security
Beyond military cooperation, the discussions in Damascus focused on economic stability. Zelenskyy characterized Kyiv as a reliable grain supplier and confirmed that the two leaders “discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region.”
The visit included a high-level diplomatic presence. According to Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry on X, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was in attendance, meeting with Zelenskyy, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha. This multi-lateral engagement occurred just one day after Zelenskyy visited Turkiye to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During that earlier meeting, the two sides agreed on “new steps” regarding security cooperation, while also discussing joint gas infrastructure and development projects.
As Kyiv continues to seek international support, it has also turned to intermediaries to manage the ongoing conflict at home. Reports indicate that Ukraine intends to ask U.S. mediators to communicate an Easter ceasefire offer to the Russian government.
