Relations between Syria and Ukraine have existed since 1992, except for a two-year period from 2022 to 2024 when they were severed following Syria's recognition of the Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Relations were reestablished after the collapse of the Assad regime. The Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon currently protects Ukrainian interests in Syria.[1]
History
Syria recognized the independence of Ukraine on 28 December 1991. The countries established diplomatic relations on 31 March 1992.[2]
On 29 June 2022, Ba'athist Syria recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics,[6] after which on 30 June 2022, Ukraine severed relations with Syria.[7] Ba'athist Syria formally broke its diplomatic ties to Ukraine on 20 July 2022, citing the principle of reciprocity.[8]
Post-Ba'athist Syria
Meeting between delegations led by Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine and Ahmad al-Sharaa of Syria, held in Damascus on 30 December 2024, to discuss the restoration of bilateral relations.
After the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024, Ukraine urged the international community to work together to support lasting peace in Syria and offered humanitarian aid through the Grain From Ukraine program.[9][10] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he was ready to support the Syrian transitional government.[11] Later that month, Zelenskyy confirmed that 500 metric tons of wheat flour had been sent to Syria as part of his country's humanitarian Grain From Ukraine program.[12]
On 30 December 2024, Ukraine's top diplomat met with Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus.[13][14][15] The high-level Ukrainian delegation included Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitaliy Koval, and the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine.[16] Later that day, Ukraine opened an honorary consulate in Damascus.[17] Sybiha led the flag-raising ceremony alongside Honorary Consul General Tamer Al-Tounsi, a Ukrainian-Syrian entrepreneur, and members of the Ukrainian community, whom he thanked for preserving the Ukrainian language and culture.[18]
During the meeting, Syria's newly appointed Foreign MinisterAsaad Hassan al-Shaybani expressed interest in building "strategic partnerships"[19] with Ukraine, emphasizing mutual sovereignty and diplomatic representation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha discussed the potential for strengthening Ukrainian-Syrian relations and Ukraine’s role in Syria’s food security despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.[20] Sybiha also criticized the Russian and Assad regimes, stating that the removal of Russian forces from Syria would contribute to stability in the Middle East and Africa.[21][19] In a related statement, Syria's al-Sharaa acknowledged the country's strategic ties with Russia, citing Russian-supplied arms and expertise in infrastructure, and opposed any calls for a complete Russian withdrawal.[22]
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