Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus in a visit that underscores Kyiv’s push to strengthen military ties across the Middle East and promote its military expertise following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Zelenskyy arrived in the Syrian capital on Sunday alongside Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, signalling a coordinated regional effort to deepen security cooperation. The meeting comes at a time when Ukraine is seeking both strategic partnerships and practical support to counter sustained Russian missile and drone attacks.
Speaking after the talks, Zelenskyy said the two leaders had discussed the realities of the war in Ukraine and explored opportunities to share military expertise.
"We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
In a later post he said, "We managed to discuss everything: from 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."
He highlighted what he described as “strong interest” from both sides in exchanging knowledge on security and defence, particularly in the field of drone warfare.
Ukraine has developed significant experience in countering drone strikes during more than four years of conflict with Russia. That expertise is now becoming a form of diplomatic currency, as Kyiv looks to trade its know-how for critical resources such as advanced air defence systems and ammunition.
The visit to Damascus follows a wider diplomatic push by Zelenskyy across the region. He travelled to Türkiye on Saturday, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and said he had agreed to new security cooperationsteps with President Erdoğan, and discussed joint gas infrastructure projects and gas field development.
Last weekend, Zelenskyy signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and he said a similar agreement was close with the UAE.
These deals are aimed at long-term military cooperation, with Ukraine offering technical support in exchange for strategic backing.
Ukraine’s need for support has become increasingly urgent. Daily barrages from Russian drones and missiles have placed strain on its air defences, and there are growing concerns in Kyiv that global attention - and supplies such as U.S. Patriot missile ammunition - could be diverted by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
For Syria, the meeting marks another step in redefining its foreign relations after the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Russia, a key ally of Assad during the country’s long civil war, continues to maintain a presence in Syria.
Al-Sharaa, who once led opposition forces, has so far adopted a more balanced approach, maintaining ties with Moscow while engaging new partners.
Despite Syria’s limited air defence capabilities, particularly against drone and missile threats, the country appears interested in Ukraine’s battlefield experience. Both leaders emphasised the potential for cooperation not only in security but also in economic areas, including food supply.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine remains a reliable exporter of grain and discussed ways to strengthen food security across the region - an issue of growing concern amid ongoing instability.
The meeting in Damascus reflects a broader shift in Ukraine’s diplomacy: extending beyond Europe to build alliances in regions directly affected by similar security challenges.
For Kyiv, these partnerships may prove critical as it seeks to sustain its defence and maintain international support in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate two-week cease...
Israel launched its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since hostilities escalated last month, killing over 100 people, even as Hezbollah halted attacks u...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye aims to rank among the world’s top ten exporters of defence technology within t...
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipp...
Greece will ban access to social media for children under 15 from 1 January 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing risi...
Israel launched its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since hostilities escalated last month, killing over 100 people, even as Hezbollah halted attacks under a disputed U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye aims to rank among the world’s top ten exporters of defence technology within the next two years.
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving no agreed international framework for securing the vital route.
As global attention centres on the conflict between Iran and the U.S., violence in Lebanon is intensifying, with Israeli strikes hitting residential areas, causing mounting civilian casualties and deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran's "whole civilisation" on Tuesday in a post on social media. Meanwhile, the UN failed to reach an agreemement on a resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after China and Russia used their vetoes.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah said it had stopped firing on northern Israel and Israeli forces on Wednesday as part of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East brokered between the United States and Iran. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker warned that the pause could collapse if Tel Aviv does not adhere to it.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate two-week ceasefire covering all areas, but Israel says the deal excludes Lebanon. Tel Aviv says the U.S. is committed to achieving shared goals in upcoming negotiations.
The four astronauts aboard Artemis II briefly lost contact with Earth while flying behind the Moon, then regained it during a dramatic lunar far-side flyby.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Hungary days before the 12 April parliamentary election has underscored Washington’s open support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at a critical point in his political career.
China and Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating defensive efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving no agreed international framework for securing the vital route.
International air travel remains severely disrupted despite the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran announced on Wednesday (8 April), leaving many passengers unable to reach their destinations after conflict-related cancellations at major Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
Oil and gas tankers remained stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (8 April), as shipping firms sought clarity on vessel passage despite a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah said it had stopped firing on northern Israel and Israeli forces on Wednesday as part of a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East brokered between the United States and Iran. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker warned that the pause could collapse if Tel Aviv does not adhere to it.
World leaders have welcomed a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. announced on Wednesday, following a tense day marked by threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to wipe out Iranian civilisation if a deal was not reached.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment