On December 30, 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus, Syria, where he delivered a personal message from President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Syrian people. The meeting included key figures such as Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and Syrian Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir.
Sybiha announced that over 20 trucks carrying 500 tons of Ukrainian flour are set to arrive in Syria as part of the humanitarian program 'Grain from Ukraine.' This aid is intended to support more than 33,000 Syrian families for a month, and he emphasized Ukraine's commitment to providing further assistance.
Additionally, Sybiha expressed Ukraine's willingness to share its experiences in evidence collection and the prosecution of war crimes. He noted parallels between the atrocities witnessed in Syria and those experienced in Ukraine, particularly regarding the treatment of prisoners.
In a related context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the Syrian government's failure to address social issues, attributing it as a contributing factor to the regime's instability. He indicated that Western sanctions have hindered improvements in the situation for the Syrian people.
Amidst ongoing geopolitical negotiations, Russia continues to engage with the new Syrian administration regarding the future of its military bases in the country, which are deemed strategically important.