Ukraine's Foreign Minister: We are ready to restore diplomatic relations with Syria if Ukraine's territorial integrity is respected

STANISLAV POHORILOV — Monday, 30 December 2024, 12:52

Andrii Sybiha and Ahmed al-Sharaa. Photo: Syrian TV channels

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who arrived in Damascus on a visit, said that Ukraine is ready to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and hopes that the new leadership will respect the country's territorial integrity.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, a Ukrainian news outlet

Quote from Sybiha: "Under Moscow's influence, the Assad regime recognised Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea and temporary occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. This forced Ukraine to break off diplomatic relations with the regime in 2022.

We assume that the new Syria will be a state that respects international law, including the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine."

Details: Sybiha also expressed the hope that "mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty will pave the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations, political dialogue and the work of diplomatic institutions".

"We are ready and expect reciprocal steps from the Syrian side," he said.

Sybiha noted that the resumption of diplomatic presence will help increase trade and cooperation in science, technology, culture and education.

For reference: The regime of Bashar al-Assad had ruled Syria for 53 years before collapsing following a 12-day offensive by rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The offensive ended with the capture of Damascus on 8 December. Hadi al-Bahra, head of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, announced plans to form a civilian government. Mohammed al-Bashir became Syria's new acting Prime Minister. Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his family were granted asylum in Moscow.

Background:

A Ukrainian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is currently in Syria and has met with the de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
On 23 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Ukraine's Foreign Ministry to establish all necessary contacts with representatives of the people of Syria and rectify Assad's mistakes.
On 27 December, Ukraine shipped 500 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat flour to Syria as part of the Grain from Ukraine programme.

Support UP or become our patron!