Ukraine and Syria formally restored diplomatic relations on Wednesday as their leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a post to X/Twitter early Thursday morning.
Ukraine broke off relations with Syria in 2022 after the ousted Syrian leader, Bashar al-Assad's government, recognized swathes of Russian-occupied Ukraine as "independent" Russian-backed areas.
"Today, Ukraine and Syria signed a Joint Communiqué on the restoration of diplomatic relations. We welcome this important step and are ready to support the Syrian people on their path to stability," Zelensky's post read.
"We agreed to build our relations on the basis of mutual respect and trust."
Toppling of the Assad regime, renewal of relations
The move was originally brought up in January 2025 by Zelensky, less than a month after the Russian-allied Assad government was toppled, following a visit by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Agriculture Minister Vitaliy Koval to the country.
“From the very moment the former regime fell, we set out a clear strategic policy built upon three pillars – balanced diplomacy, security and stability, and economic development,” Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa reaffirmed in his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Major regional and international companies have already begun entering the Syrian market, contributing through investment and reconstruction,” he said, while calling for the lifting of all sanctions so they no longer “shackle the Syrian people.”
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.