Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Discusses Talks in Damascus

On April 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a significant statement regarding the outcomes of negotiations held in the Syrian capital, Damascus, marking a pivotal day for bilateral relations between Ukraine and Syria, as well as for trilateral cooperation that also involves Turkey. In his Telegram channel, Zelensky emphasized the importance of this meeting, which he described as a turning point in the diplomatic ties between the two nations.

During his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Zelensky highlighted a broad range of issues that were discussed, covering not only security and defense aspects but also the regional situation, particularly in light of recent events occurring in Iran. The Ukrainian president also underscored the importance of energy and infrastructure cooperation between the countries, indicating a mutual interest in enhancing collaboration in these critical areas.

"Today, we continued our work on food security issues. We thoroughly discussed how to overcome the consequences of the war, as well as the negotiation process regarding Russia's war against our state and our people," Zelensky stated, emphasizing the significance of these topics for both nations. His remarks reflect a deep commitment to addressing the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict.

Zelensky expressed gratitude to all Syrians who welcomed the Ukrainian delegation and reminded them that Ukraine was among the first countries to support a new Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. "We are ready to continue supporting stability and development. We will work even more closely together so that our peoples, our countries become stronger, and so that our economies can also become stronger," he concluded.

This visit marked Zelensky's first trip to Damascus on April 5, where he held discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. They talked about the situation in the Middle East as well as Russia's war against Ukraine. "We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies. We discussed the situation in the region and the prospects for improvement. I am grateful for the support we are receiving," noted the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky also mentioned that during the negotiations with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the possibility of food supplies to Syria was discussed, along with the overall strengthening of food security in the region. These issues are particularly relevant in light of the global challenges that countries are currently facing, highlighting the urgency of cooperation in this area.

Turkish media reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would also participate in the trilateral meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This confirms the importance of collaboration among the three countries in addressing shared challenges and enhancing regional stability.

According to a video released by the Ukrainian president, Zelensky arrived in Damascus on a Turkish government plane, indicating Turkey's active role in fostering relations between Ukraine and Syria. These negotiations could represent a significant step toward establishing new partnerships and strengthening security in the region.