In search of new partners: Ukraine intensifies contacts with Turkey and Syria

Ukraine is intensifying diplomatic efforts in West Asia and expanding its circle of partners amid the weakening of Russia’s influence in the region.

This is what The Economist writes about.

Kyiv is gradually restoring contacts with Syria after severing relations in 2022. At that time, Damascus supported Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories. After the change of power in Syria, the parties resumed dialogue and are already discussing the return of diplomatic missions and the development of economic cooperation.

Among the possible directions is the exchange of resources. Ukraine is interested in supplying Syrian phosphates for the agricultural sector, in return, Syria needs Ukrainian grain. Kyiv is also considering the participation of its specialists in the reconstruction of infrastructure and modernization of the country’s economy.

Turkey plays an important role in this process, supporting the rapprochement between Kyiv and Damascus. Ankara seeks to reduce Russia’s influence in the region and, at the same time, develops cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in the military sphere.

According to the publication, the interaction between Ukraine and Turkey has only been intensifying recently, and Kyiv’s diplomatic steps indicate its intention to gain a foothold in new geopolitical directions.

As previously reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Syria on an official visit on April 5 , where he plans to meet with the country’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The visit involves holding a number of negotiations, including in a trilateral format.

As a reminder, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. The parties agreed to deepen cooperation in the areas of security, energy, and support for peace initiatives.

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