Zelensky in Syria to discuss security cooperation with President Ahmed al-Sharaa
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Damascus on Sunday.
Photo: Ukrainian Presidency / dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to work for enhanced security in talks on Sunday with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa, as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the war in Iran.
Zelensky, continuing his tour of Middle East countries, also said Ukraine wants to contribute to food security in the region.
In recent weeks, Zelensky has visited several countries across the Middle East, offering Ukrainian expertise in countering drone and missile attacks, developed during its four-year war with Russia. “We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “There is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience.” Zelensky told the Syrian leader that Ukraine, as a major grain producer, was a reliable supplier of food and said the two leaders “discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region”.
In Turkey on Saturday, Zelensky said he had agreed “new steps” in security cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and discussed cooperation opportunities in joint gas infrastructure projects and joint gas field development. “Today in Damascus.
We continue our active Ukrainian diplomacy aimed at real security and economic cooperation,” Zelensky wrote on social media after his arrival.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Zelensky at Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul on Saturday.
Photo: Turkish Presidency / dpa 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 Syria’s long-time strongman Bashar al-Assad.
Zelensky’s talks with Sharaa were linked to defence in light of the US-Israel war on Iran, one Syrian source, a government adviser, said. Syria is not known to have any air defences capable of dealing with Iranian drones or missiles.
During Zelensky’s visits to Gulf states last weekend, Ukraine signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and he said that a similar agreement was close to completion with United Arab Emirates.
Syria is home to two major Russian military bases, used by its navy and air force.
Sharaa said on Tuesday at an event in Chatham House
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