Zelensky's Visit to Syria: A Historic Step in Regional Politics

The Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies emphasizes that President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Syria is not merely a bilateral engagement but rather the final link in a regional tour that began at the end of March. During this period, Zelensky visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan, where he announced 'specific agreements.' His visits to Turkey on April 4 and Syria on April 5 logically conclude this diplomatic journey.

The sequence of visits to Ankara and Damascus is highly significant. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan serves as the primary external patron of the new Syrian government. Thus, Zelensky's arrival in Damascus can be seen as having the blessing of Turkey, which notably enhances the status and credibility of this visit in the eyes of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

It is crucial to note that a trilateral triangle of Ukraine, Turkey, and Syria is currently taking shape. This triangle is becoming increasingly apparent in real-time, particularly in light of the ongoing trilateral negotiations among these countries.

First, in the context of security, al-Sharaa stated that he is doing everything possible to keep Syria out of the current conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, analyzing the situation with utmost caution. This indicates that Damascus requires a reliable security partner that is not involved in either of the opposing blocs. Ukraine presents a unique partnership, possessing real experience in combating Russian and Iranian expansion, while lacking the 'political baggage' of NATO or obligations to Israel.

Secondly, in the energy dimension, Zelensky and Erdoğan agreed to a meeting between the heads of Naftogaz and the Turkish Ministry of Energy, scheduled for April 5. Concurrently, the visit to Syria is not coincidental: gas geopolitics, particularly the Qatari route through Syria to Turkey and then to Europe, is being discussed at two levels simultaneously.

Thirdly, in the diplomatic context regarding Russia, while trilateral negotiations among Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia remain on hold due to hostilities in the Middle East, Zelensky is shaping an alternative architecture of influence. This includes regional partners who are economically and diplomatically pressuring Moscow, thereby enhancing Ukraine's agency. The expulsion of Russia from Syrian ports is part of this strategy.

Undoubtedly, this visit is historic. For the first time, the president of a war-torn Ukraine personally visits an Arab capital that was, just a year and a half ago, an ally of Moscow. This represents a break from the geopolitical template, occurring not spontaneously but as the culmination of a well-thought-out regional tour following the logic of the Kyiv-Ankara-Damascus triangle.

The text is published with the author's permission.

Tags: Volodymyr Zelensky, Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Ihor Semivolos, Turkey