Syria builds strategic relationship with Ukraine
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister has visited Damascus in an attempt to build strategic relations with the new Syrian government. The meeting would build “strategic partnerships” between the two countries on political, economic, social and scientific issues, according to Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani.
Described as “one of the most consequential visits since the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8”, the visit marked a mutual acknowledgement of the sovereignty of two countries both challenged by Russian interference, reported by Reuters on December 30th.
On December 27th Reuters also reported the exportation of Ukrainian food aid to Syria as part of the ‘Grain From Ukraine’ programme in cooperation with the United Nations World Food Programme. Its first batch will include 500 tonnes of wheat flour.
Ukraine has been engaged in a war with Russia since 2022, and the Syrian people have experienced Russian interference since 2014, when they entered the Civil War on behalf of the Assad regime. In exchange, Russia has multiple military locations in Syria like the Hmeimin airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility. They also provided food to the Assad regime.
Read: Russia nears agreement to keep military bases in Syria
With the collapse of the Assad regime, al-Sharaa has been de facto leader of Syria under the banner of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. Since then, Russia stopped food shipments to Syria in early December due to concerns over the new government and delays in payments from Damascus. However, Sharaa has said since he came to power that “Syria’s relations with Russia should serve common interests… he said Syria shared strategic interests with Russia”. It remains to be seen how the relationship between Damascus and Moscow will unfold, particularly given Assad is there on political asylum.
Read: Russia and US clash at UN Security Council over Syria
Improved relations with Syria are on the table with the collapse of the Assad regime. From a strategic point of view, the diminished influence of Russia will “contribute to the stability of not only the Syrian state but the entire Middle East and Africa” according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. With Ukraine exporting food aid, Sybiha also said “Ukraine will remain a linchpin to food security in Syria, even if our country is engaged in a war”.
Reuters
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
