Ukraine and Syria have officially restored diplomatic relations, a major diplomatic reset announced during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on September 24.
Zelenskiy and Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signed a joint communiqué committing to rebuild ties “on the basis of mutual respect and trust,” after the two sides broke off relations in mid-2022. The diplomatic rupture had arisen after Syria’s then-government under Bashar al-Assad recognised the “independence” of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including Donetsk and Luhansk, a move Kyiv saw as a breach of its territorial sovereignty.
The decision follows the ouster of Assad in December 2024 and the installation of the new leadership in Damascus, which has opened up opportunities for renewed engagement by Ukraine. Zelenskiy said Ukraine is “ready to support the Syrian people on their path to stability,” expressing hope for cooperation across sectors including security. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani, with President al Sharaa, also emphasized a willingness to work together, with Syria expressing interest in rebuilding international relations after years of isolation and sanctions.
Ukraine’s foreign policy under Zelenskiy has undertaken several steps toward engagement: last December, Ukraine’s foreign minister visited Damascus, and aid programs, most notably Ukraine’s “Grain from Ukraine,” have begun feeding into Syria’s humanitarian needs. The new stance also reflects Kyiv’s interest in countering security threats stemming from remaining Russian influence in Syria, as well as building alliances in the Middle East.
