Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday. Zelensky arrived at Damascus International Airport on an official visit to Syria.
This comes after the Ukrainian leader had also held important meetings with countries in the Gulf last week. The Ukrainian leader’s visit to the region is symbolic and shows how a region focused on the Iran war today can become a beacon of peace and prosperity in the future if countries seek a different path. Syria is seeking that path in talks with the Ukrainian leader.
It's important to see some context here. During the Syrian civil war, the Assad regime was backed by Russia. As such, many Ukrainians saw Syria as a natural friend. This is because Russia had seized parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014. The Russian invasion of Crimea, as well as the Donbas in 2014, set the stage for the larger invasion in 2022. Russia also intervened in Syria in support of Assad in 2015. As such, Ukrainians and Syrians became deeply linked in their joint opposition to Moscow’s policy and Assad.
When Assad fell in December 2024, there was rejoicing in Ukraine as well. Now it is no surprise to see Zelensky in Damascus. However, this still has important symbols for both countries and the region.
“Syria and Ukraine signed a joint statement last September regarding the restoration of diplomatic relations between them,” Syrian state media noted. “The move came during a meeting between Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
Shaibani also received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport on Sunday on an official visit to Syria. Turkey is a friend of Ukraine, but also has ties with Russia. Sharaa has also visited Russia and sought to iron out ties with Moscow. This shows how these countries can work together, even while there is war between Russia and Ukraine.
SANA noted that Syria’s “Foreign Minister Shaibani and his Turkish counterpart had a telephone conversation late last month, during which they discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and the security and military situation in the region. Shaibani met on Sunday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the capital, Damascus.” Turkey is a key backer of the Sharaa government in Damascus.
Syria, Turkey, Ukraine hold trilateral meeting
Meanwhile, there was a trilateral meeting that brought together the Syrian foreign minister with his Turkish and Ukrainian counterparts in Damascus, SANA noted.
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed Sunday that Ukraine is 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 X/Twitter, 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.”
The reports in Syrian state media went on to note that “Syria and Ukraine signed a joint statement last September on restoring diplomatic relations during a meeting between Presidents Sharaa and Zelensky in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. President Ahmad al-Sharaa said that discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday focused on ways to boost economic cooperation and exchange expertise.”
In addition, Sharaa held a phone call with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan this weekend. This came after protesters in Damascus targeted the UAE.
“During the call, President al-Sharaa stressed the strength of brotherly relations between the two countries and Syria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors in the interest of both peoples,” SANA noted. “President al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s condemnation of Iranian aggressions targeting some Arab countries, stressing the need to respect state sovereignty and ensure security and stability.”