By Rosemary
Ukraine and Syria have agreed to strengthen cooperation on security and defense, marking a notable development in Kyiv’s effort to expand its strategic partnerships across the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the agreement following talks in Damascus with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing the discussions as focused on enhancing both security coordination and broader development opportunities.
“There is strong mutual interest in exchanging military and security expertise,” Zelenskyy said in a public statement, emphasizing Ukraine’s intention to share knowledge gained during its prolonged conflict with Russia. The war, which has shaped Kyiv’s military capabilities over several years, has positioned Ukraine as a source of practical experience in countering modern threats such as drone and missile attacks.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Damascus forms part of a wider diplomatic push across the Middle East, where Ukraine has been actively promoting its defense expertise. The initiative comes as the region faces heightened instability linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has led to increased attacks by Iranian forces and allied groups on U.S. partners and installations.
For Syria, the partnership carries particular significance. The country currently lacks advanced air defense systems capable of effectively countering the type of drone and missile threats that have become more prevalent in the region. Ukrainian experience in adapting to similar challenges has therefore emerged as a potentially valuable resource for Syrian military planners.
Beyond defense cooperation, the talks also addressed economic and humanitarian issues, particularly food security. Ukraine, one of the world’s major grain exporters, signaled its readiness to support Middle Eastern countries facing supply pressures. Zelenskyy said both sides explored opportunities to strengthen agricultural trade and ensure more stable food supplies across the region.
The meeting in Damascus also drew in regional diplomatic actors. Hakan Fidan participated in discussions alongside senior Ukrainian and Syrian officials, underscoring Turkey’s ongoing role as a key intermediary in regional security and political dialogues. Images released from the meeting showed a multilateral format, though detailed outcomes beyond the Ukraine-Syria agreement were not disclosed.
The Damascus visit follows Zelenskyy’s earlier stop in Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders discussed expanding bilateral security cooperation as well as potential collaboration in energy infrastructure, including gas transit and development projects.
Zelenskyy’s broader Middle East tour has already yielded several agreements. In recent visits to Gulf states, Ukraine secured long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and indicated that a similar arrangement with the United Arab Emirates is nearing completion. These agreements reflect Kyiv’s effort to position itself as both a security partner and a contributor to regional stability.
The trip to Syria carries additional diplomatic weight as it marks Zelenskyy’s first visit since relations between Kyiv and Damascus were restored in 2025, following the fall of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. The re-establishment of ties has opened the door for new forms of cooperation that had previously been constrained by geopolitical alignments.
Syria’s strategic landscape remains complex, particularly given the presence of longstanding Russian military installations on its territory.
These bases, used by both naval and air forces, continue to play a role in regional power dynamics. Syrian officials have indicated that efforts are underway to repurpose some of these facilities into training centers for national forces, potentially aligning with new partnerships such as the one being developed with Ukraine.
As conflicts continue to reshape alliances across both Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Ukraine’s outreach signals an attempt to extend its influence beyond its immediate region. By leveraging its wartime experience and positioning itself as a provider of security expertise, Kyiv is seeking to build new partnerships while reinforcing its role on the global stage.
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