President Zelensky Calls Ukraine Recovering Diplomatic Relations With Syria

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine and Syria officially restored diplomatic relations on Wednesday, when he met with President Ahmad al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UN).

Ukraine cut ties with Syria in June 2022, after the ousted Government of Syrian Leader Bashar al-Assad acknowledged independence in large parts of occupied Ukraine following a massive Russian invasion.

Ukraine has been working with Syrian authorities since the overthrow of Assad in December 2024, which for years has been Russia's loyal ally and allowed Moscow to build a military foothold in its territory.

"We are pleased with this important step and are ready to support the Syrian people on their way to stability," President Zelensky wrote on Telegram after announcing the restoration of diplomatic relations.

President Zelensky sent his foreign minister to Damascus last December to negotiate with new Syrian leaders, urging them to reduce Russia's presence in its territory and promising food aid deliveries.

Meanwhile, the Syrian leader said they expected close relations with Kyiv.

Russia, which has granted asylum to Assad, alone has made concrete efforts to establish ties with the new Syrian government and sent a large delegation led by a top energy official to visit earlier this month.

On Wednesday, President Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in his speech that Syria deserves stronger international support, and Damascus still had to ask for an easing of crippling economic sanctions.