President Zelensky's Visit to Syria: New Horizons for Ukraine

Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an unexpected visit to Syria, sparking discussions among political analysts and experts. This visit, considering its context and various circumstances, likely occurred due to the initiative and direct support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is possible that the idea for this visit arose during a meeting between Zelensky and Erdogan, although it may have been jointly planned by both the Ukrainian and Turkish sides. Supporting this version are the facts that Zelensky's visit to Syria took place immediately after his trip to Turkey, and that he arrived in Syria alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on a Turkish government plane.

During his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's significant interest in exchanging experiences in the field of security. This interest is entirely understandable, as in the context of escalating military-political situations in Western Asia, the President of Ukraine is actively promoting Ukraine's interests in this region, viewing it as a potential partner in military-technical cooperation. Furthermore, Syria could become a potential buyer of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products, which is an important aspect for the Ukrainian economy.

It is also important to note another point: Ukraine is trying to establish a foothold in this region, particularly to counter Russia. This has already occurred in Libya, where a small military mission of Ukrainian specialists is operating. However, it remains difficult to say whether Ukraine will be able to implement similar plans in Syria, where Russian interests are present. Nevertheless, it is already evident that a hidden but active struggle between Ukrainian and Russian intelligence services for influence is beginning in several regions of the world.

The greatest intrigue of Zelensky's visit to Syria lies in the question: why is this necessary for Erdogan? Turkey already has significant influence over the current Syrian regime. By promoting Ukrainian interests in Syria, President Erdogan may be attempting to disrupt Russia's game in this region. Russia seeks not only to maintain its presence in Syria but also to restore its influence in the country, which hardly aligns with Turkey's interests. However, it is possible that Erdogan has more far-reaching goals, gradually forming a network of informal political alliances that encompasses Western Asia, the South Caucasus, parts of Europe, and Central Asia.

It is worth noting that the United States also shows great interest in Syria. Therefore, any potential non-economic activity by Ukraine in this region will need to be at least partially coordinated with American partners. Alongside this, there is also Israel, with which Ukraine has ambiguous relations—seemingly friendly, but in reality, rather neutrally restrained. Israel’s interests are closely tied to those of the United States, and Turkey does not have the best relations with Israel. If Ukraine begins an active political game in the Western Asia region, it will have to consider the entire complex puzzle of conflicting geopolitical relationships in this area.

For Ukraine's influence in the region to be systematic and consistent, it is necessary to strengthen its diplomatic support. Zelensky's visit to Syria may become an important step in this direction, opening new opportunities for cooperation and the development of relations between Ukraine and the countries of Western Asia.