**Ukraine Reaches Out to Syria After Regime Change**
The leaders of Ukraine and Syria have started talking again. This is the first time they’ve had a high-level meeting since breaking off diplomatic ties two years ago.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus, the Syrian capital. He met with acting leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This meeting could be the start of better relations between the two countries.
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad fled the country in December 2024 after opposition forces took control. Russia, which had been supporting Assad, is now pulling out its military from Syria. This is a big defeat for Russia and marks a shift in power in Syria.
Ukraine broke off ties with Syria in 2022 when Assad recognized Russian claims on Ukrainian land. Now, Ukraine wants to rebuild relations with Syria. During the meeting, Sybiha gave a message from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Syrian people. He offered support for stability and food security in Syria.
Sybiha said that if Syria respects international law, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders, then diplomatic ties can be fully restored. This means they’ll start talking again and work together on important issues.