Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, following Zelensky's arrival in the capital alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The high-level meeting focused on regional security, Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, and collaborative efforts to strengthen food security.

According to a social media post by President Zelensky, discussions covered the circumstances of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with the Ukrainian leader expressing gratitude for support received. He also noted a significant interest in exchanging military and security expertise between the two nations. Additionally, the leaders addressed Ukraine's role as a dependable supplier of food products and explored joint opportunities to enhance food security across the region.

The visit to Damascus follows President Zelensky’s stop in Turkey earlier this week and a broader tour of the Gulf region in recent days. Last week, Zelensky engaged with leaders in countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, aiming to secure new security agreements. A key objective of these engagements has been to exchange Ukraine’s specialized knowledge in countering Russian drones for much-needed air defense missiles. This initiative is particularly urgent for Kyiv, which faces potential shortages of ammunition for its U.S. Patriot air defense systems, a concern heightened by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Ukraine seeks to leverage its battlefield experience against drones, which bear similarities to those reportedly used by Iran in attacks on Gulf nations.

The meeting in Damascus is notable given Syria's intricate geopolitical landscape. Russia previously provided substantial military assistance, including airstrikes, to Ahmed al-Sharaa’s predecessor, Bashar al-Assad, during Syria’s civil war; Assad is now in exile in Moscow. However, the current Syrian leader, Sharaa, has seemingly maintained more balanced relations with Russia, having met with President Vladimir Putin in January while not requesting the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Syria. This interaction with President Zelensky could indicate a nuanced shift in Syria’s diplomatic engagements.