UPDATE - Top Ukrainian diplomat meets new Syrian administration leader in Damascus

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, FOREIGN MINISTER; REVISES DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Monday met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Syria’s new administration, during a visit to the country’s capital Damascus.

In a post on X, Sybiha said that during the meeting he personally conveyed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's message about Kyiv's readiness to "assist in restoring normal life, stability, and food security" in Syria.

"We rely on the new Syria respecting international law, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said, adding that this will pave the way to fully restore diplomatic ties and dialogue between Kyiv and Damascus.

"We are ready to develop cooperation in a number of areas," Sybiha went on to say.

Zelenskyy later commented on Sybiha's visit to Syria, saying that the Ukrainian delegation that visited Damascus, which also included Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Vitaliy Koval, held important talks with the new Syrian administration.

"We support the Syrian people in overcoming decades of dictatorial rule and restoring stability, security, and normal life in Syria," Zelenskyy said on X.

The Ukrainian president further said that the first 500 tons of wheat flour sent to Syria by Kyiv will arrive in the country on Tuesday, adding that there will be more deliveries and opportunities in mutually beneficial cooperation in many areas.

Sybiha's visit to Syria came three days after Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv sent 500 tons of wheat flour to the country as part of Kyiv’s Grain from Ukraine initiative.

“The wheat flour is planned to be distributed to 33,250 families or 167,000 people, in the coming weeks. Each package weighs 15 kilograms (33 pounds) and can feed a family of five for one month,” Zelenskyy said on X.

Last Monday, Zelenskyy said he instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to put in more effort to establish “all necessary contacts” with the new administration in Syria.