Syria's new leader meets with Ukraine's top diplomat

Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga on Monday, marking a notable diplomatic development weeks after the ousting of Russian-backed President Bashar al-Assad.

The talks, reported by Syria’s official news agency SANA, come as the country navigates its post-Assad future. While details of the meeting remain scarce, the engagement signals Syria’s growing efforts to redefine its international relationships.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday that Ukraine had sent its first shipment of food aid to Syria: 500 tons of wheat flour. Despite being embroiled in its own war with Russia, Ukraine remains a top global wheat producer.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says the war with Russia must end by "diplomatic means" AFP

The move underscores Ukraine’s outreach to Syria’s new administration, which rose to power after rebel forces led by Sharaa’s Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toppled Assad in a swift offensive last month.

The campaign culminated in the seizure of Damascus on December 8, forcing Assad to flee to Russia in what many viewed as a significant setback for Moscow.

Balancing ties with Russia

Despite Assad’s ouster, Sharaa emphasized the importance of maintaining strategic ties with Russia in an interview with Al-Arabiya on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia November 18, 2024. Reuters

“All Syria’s arms are of Russian origin, and many power plants are managed by Russian experts,” Sharaa said. “We do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish.”

The comments highlight the delicate balancing act for Syria’s new leadership, which must navigate regional and global dynamics while addressing the aftermath of a prolonged civil war.

Sharaa’s administration faces the challenge of rebuilding a nation shattered by years of conflict while recalibrating its foreign relations.

The meeting with Ukraine signals the beginning of this process, as Syria's new leadership seeks to establish its stance on the international stage.