Ukraine And Syria Restore Diplomatic Relations And Reopen Embassies After Nearly A Decade

Ukraine and Syria formally restored diplomatic relations after nearly a decade of severed ties.

Zelensky visited Damascus and met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Actualités Ukrinform

The visit was facilitated by Türkiye, with Zelensky traveling aboard a Turkish presidential aircraft.

Ukraine had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2016 and severed relations in 2022 after Syria recognized occupied Ukrainian regions.

The restoration follows the fall of the Assad regime in 2024 and a Joint Communiqué signed in September 2025.

Foreign Minister Sybiha met with his Syrian counterpart, discussing trade, food security, and humanitarian cooperation.

Türkiye played a central role in brokering the Ukraine-Syria rapprochement.

The trilateral meeting signaled new forms of cooperation amid converging regional conflicts.

Al Jazeera

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accompanied Zelensky to Damascus.

Türkiye has taken increasingly visible and assertive steps centred on stability in the Middle East.

The rapprochement occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions from U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.

The Guardian reported a conscious attempt to transform Ukraine into a supra-regional security actor.

The rapprochement included discussions on security and defence cooperation.

Zelensky noted a strong interest in exchanging military and security experience.

Ukraine's outreach comes amid urgent defence needs from Russian attacks.

Ukraine has signed defence agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Syria's new leadership has taken a more nuanced approach since coming to power.

The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war are increasingly interconnected.

Ukraine and Syria discussed economic cooperation, including trade and food security.

Ukraine emphasized its role as a dependable food exporter.

Al-Quds al-Arabi

Bilateral trade has grown ninefold since the Joint Communiqué.

Humanitarian and educational cooperation was also discussed.

The sequence of visits represents the logical completion of a regional arc of influence.

The rapprochement marks a significant shift in Ukraine's foreign policy.