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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Syria Ahmed Al Sharaa agreed to deepen security cooperation following high-level talks in Damascus on April 6, 2026, as Kyiv expands its strategic outreach across the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Zelenskyy’s visit marks his first trip to Syria since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in 2024. It comes as Ukraine seeks to position itself as a security partner in a region facing growing instability.

Speaking after the meeting, Zelenskyy said both sides had agreed to strengthen collaboration in security and defense, particularly through the exchange of military experience.

“We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

He added that there is “a great interest in exchanging military and security experience,” highlighting Ukraine’s growing role as a provider of battlefield knowledge, especially in countering drone and missile threats.

Ukraine has developed extensive expertise in air defence and drone warfare during its more than four-year war with Russia. This experience has become increasingly relevant in the Middle East, where Iranian drone and missile attacks have intensified since the start of the regional conflict on February 28.

Syria, which lacks advanced air defence systems, is particularly vulnerable. The country is not known to possess capabilities to effectively counter modern drone swarms or ballistic missile threats, making Ukrainian support potentially valuable.

Talks with the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa @AH_AlSharaa.

We agreed to work together to bring greater security and more opportunities for development to our societies. We discussed the situation in the region and the prospects for changing it for the better. We also went… pic.twitter.com/BxUoEVNmFW

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 5, 2026

Regional Outreach Amid Iran Conflict

Zelenskyy’s visit to Damascus is part of a broader diplomatic push across the Middle East. In recent weeks, he has visited several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he signed long-term military cooperation agreements.

Ukraine has also sent technical teams to countries such as the United Arab Emirates to share expertise in countering aerial threats. These efforts come as Iran and its allied groups continue to target U.S. and Israeli assets, as well as infrastructure in Gulf states.

During his discussions in Damascus, Zelenskyy said the talks covered a wide range of issues linked to the regional situation. “We managed to discuss everything: from security and defence issues and the situation in the region due to all the events around Iran to energy and infrastructure cooperation between our countries,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Kyiv is seeking to build long-term partnerships that go beyond immediate military concerns, linking security cooperation with broader economic and infrastructure development.

Food Security and Economic Cooperation

In addition to defense ties, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s role as a major agricultural producer and its potential contribution to regional food security.

Zelenskyy told Syrian officials that Ukraine is a reliable grain supplier and said both sides had “discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region.”

Al Sharaa echoed this approach, stating that the talks focused on “ways to strengthen economic cooperation and exchange expertise.” He added that the visit reflects Syria’s efforts to expand international partnerships following years of conflict and isolation.

“The visit underscores Syria’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships in support of development and enhanced stability,” he said.

Turkiye’s Role and Trilateral Discussions

The diplomatic engagement in Damascus also included regional actors. Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held meetings with Zelenskyy, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The discussions followed Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey a day earlier, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders agreed on “new steps” in security cooperation and explored joint projects in gas infrastructure and energy development.

These engagements highlight Ankara’s continued role as a key regional intermediary, maintaining ties with both Kyiv and Damascus while navigating broader geopolitical tensions.

Syria’s Shifting Geopolitical Position

Zelenskyy’s visit comes at a time when Syria is attempting to rebuild its foreign relations after more than a decade of war. Since taking power, Al Sharaa has sought to balance new partnerships while maintaining a working relationship with Russia.

Despite the political transition, Russia continues to maintain a significant military presence in Syria, including bases at Tartus and Khmeimim. These installations remain strategically important for Moscow, providing access to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the broader Middle East.

A significant day of talks in Damascus – today, a bilateral format with President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa @AH_AlSharaa took place, as well as negotiations involving our teams, and there was a trilateral discussion – Ukraine, Syria, and Türkiye @HakanFidan. We are building new… pic.twitter.com/TPa6tORPjN

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 5, 2026

The Tartus naval facility, originally established during the Soviet era and later expanded by Russia, has been used to support naval operations, including the deployment of warships and submarines. Meanwhile, the Khmeimim airbase serves as a logistical hub for Russian military operations, including activities in Africa.

Al Sharaa has previously acknowledged Syria’s continued reliance on Russian military equipment, stating, “All weapons in Syria are Russian,” while noting that Damascus is exploring new defence partnerships, including with Turkey.

At the same time, Syria’s lack of modern air defence systems has created an opening for new security partnerships, including with Ukraine.

Strategic Implications

The Ukraine-Syria agreement reflects a broader shift in Kyiv’s foreign policy as it seeks to leverage its wartime experience into strategic influence beyond Europe.

By offering expertise in drone defense and modern warfare, Ukraine is positioning itself as a valuable partner for countries facing asymmetric threats. This approach also strengthens Kyiv’s diplomatic footprint at a time when global attention is divided between multiple conflicts.

For Syria, the partnership represents an opportunity to diversify its security relationships and address critical gaps in its defense capabilities, particularly as regional tensions linked to Iran continue to escalate.

The cooperation also underscores how the war in Ukraine is reshaping global security dynamics, with its lessons and technologies increasingly influencing conflicts and defence strategies far beyond Europe.