Zelensky Arrives in Syria for Talks Amid Middle East Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Syria on April 5, which marks the latest stage of his visits to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. This visit is part of Ukraine's active diplomacy in the region, where the situation remains tense due to Tehran's response to actions taken by the U.S. and Israel, including drone and missile strikes on various targets.

Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, as reported by Syrian television. In a statement on Telegram, the Ukrainian president emphasized: "We continue our active Ukrainian diplomacy for the sake of real security and economic cooperation. Every nation, every region deserves a peaceful life."

Kyiv has also dispatched specialists to the region to assist in combating Iranian Shahed drones used in attacks. This visit to Damascus is the first at the leadership level since the restoration of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Syria in September 2025, when Zelensky and al-Sharaa met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the earlier stage of his Middle Eastern tour, Zelensky met with his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Istanbul on April 4. The leaders "agreed on new steps in the field of security," which Zelensky reported on Telegram following their talks. Ukraine is prepared to support Turkey with "expertise, technologies, and experience," noted the Ukrainian president.

Erdoğan and Zelensky also discussed projects related to gas infrastructure, including the possibility of joint development of gas fields. Earlier, Ukraine announced the signing of 10-year defense partnerships with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

President Zelensky explicitly linked Kyiv's assistance to the deep stocks of missile interceptors available in the region, as Ukraine itself is experiencing a shortage of such means. This aspect underscores the importance of cooperation between Ukraine and Middle Eastern countries amid rising tensions in the region.