Sybiha's visit to Syria: Zelenskyy makes a statement

The visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha to Syria is being conducted under the directive of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The President is also awaiting a report on the visit.

This was stated by Advisor to the President of Ukraine, Dmytro Lytvyn, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.

According to Lytvyn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide the main details of Sybiha’s visit to Damascus. However, he emphasized that the visit was taking place under the President’s directive.

“This is the President's initiative to activate contacts — the first batch of food supplies has been sent to Syria. More will follow as part of the "Grain from Ukraine" program,” Lytvyn explained.

Lytvyn noted that during the meeting between Sybiha and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, “sensitive political issues” were likely discussed.

“Right now, the President is waiting for a report from Sybiha on the visit and the negotiations,” Lytvyn said.

The development of relations between Ukraine and Syria

Ukraine and Syria established their first diplomatic relations in 1992. However, in 2022, the then Syrian authorities recognized the “independence” of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR," leading to a severance of diplomatic ties with Ukraine.

This autumn saw the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Subsequently, discussions in Ukraine resurfaced about the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Syria. In particular, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi revealed that Ukraine had established contact with the new Syrian authorities and was ready to restore diplomatic relations.

On Monday, December 30, it became known that Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha had arrived in Damascus. There, he held negotiations with the leadership of the Syrian administration, the country's leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, and others.

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