 | |
 Syria |  Ukraine |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Syria, Kyiv | Embassy of Ukraine, Damascus |
Relations between Syria and Ukraine have existed since 1992, except for a two-year period from 2022 to 2024 when they were severed following Syria's recognition of the Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Relations were reestablished after the collapse of the Assad regime. The Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon currently protects Ukrainian interests in Syria. [1]
Syria recognized the independence of Ukraine on 28 December 1991. The countries established diplomatic relations on 31 March 1992. [2]
With the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Ba'athist Syria became even closer politically to the Russian Federation. Due to Ba'athist Syria's recognition of the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, bilateral relations were frozen. [2] [3] [4] Citing human rights violations by the government of Bashar al-Assad against Syrian civilians, Ukraine closed its embassy in Damascus in 2016, and in 2018, ordered the closure of the Syrian embassy in Kyiv. [5]
On 29 June 2022, Ba'athist Syria recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics from Ukraine, [6] after which on 30 June 2022, Ukraine severed relations with Syria. [7] Ba'athist Syria formally broke its diplomatic ties to Ukraine on 20 July 2022, citing the principle of reciprocity. [8]
After the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024, Ukraine urged the international community to work together to support lasting peace in Syria and offered humanitarian aid through the Grain From Ukraine program. [9] [10] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he was ready to support the Syrian transitional government. [11] Later that month, Zelenskyy confirmed that 500 metric tons of wheat flour had been sent to Syria as part of his country's humanitarian Grain From Ukraine program. [12]
On 30 December 2024, Ukraine's top diplomat met with Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus. [13] [14] [15] The high-level Ukrainian delegation included Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitaliy Koval, and the Special Representative of the President of Ukraine. [16] Later that day, Ukraine opened an honorary consulate in Damascus. [17] Sybiha led the flag-raising ceremony alongside Honorary Consul General Tamer Al-Tounsi, a Ukrainian-Syrian entrepreneur, and members of the Ukrainian community, whom he thanked for preserving the Ukrainian language and culture. [18]
During the meeting, Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani expressed interest in building "strategic partnerships" [19] with Ukraine, emphasizing mutual sovereignty and diplomatic representation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha discussed the potential for strengthening Ukrainian-Syrian relations and Ukraine’s role in Syria’s food security despite the ongoing conflict with Russia. [20] Sybiha also criticized the Russian and Assad regimes, stating that the removal of Russian forces from Syria would contribute to stability in the Middle East and Africa. [21] [19] In a related statement, Syria's al-Sharaa acknowledged the country's strategic ties with Russia, citing Russian-supplied arms and expertise in infrastructure, and opposed any calls for a complete Russian withdrawal. [22]
On 2 January 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to re-establish diplomatic relations with Syria. [23]
Ensuring national security, increasing influence among its Arab neighbours and securing the return of the Golan Heights, have been the primary goals of the Syrian Arab Republic's foreign policy. At many points in its history, Syria has seen tension with its neighbours, such as Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Syria enjoyed an improvement in relations with several of the states in its region in the 21st century, prior to the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war. Until 2018, due to the Syrian civil war, the Syrian Arab Republic's government was partially isolated from the countries in the region and the wider international community.
Jordan–Syria relations are bilateral relations between the sovereign states of Jordan and Syria. Relations between neighbours have ancient roots as both countries are historically parts of the Levant or the region of Syria. The two states were created after the First World War from former Ottoman dominions by way of a secret bilateral agreement between Britain and France.
Russia–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between Russia and Syria. Russia has an embassy in Damascus and Syria has an embassy in Moscow. Russia enjoys a historically strong, stable, and friendly relationship with Syria, as it did with most countries within the Arab World up until the Arab Spring. Russia's only Mediterranean naval base for its Black Sea Fleet is located in the Syrian port city of Tartus.
Turkey and Ukraine have a long chronology of historical, geographic, and cultural contact. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established in early 1990s when Turkey became one of the first states in the world to announce officially about recognition of sovereign Ukraine. Turkey has an embassy in Kyiv and a consulate general in Odesa. Ukraine has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate general in Istanbul. Turkey is a full member of NATO and Ukraine is a candidate. Also both countries are BLACKSEAFOR and BSEC members.
Israel–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Israel and Ukraine. Both countries recognized each other on 11 May 1949 as the Ukrainian SSR and established de jure diplomatic relations on 26 December 1991 when Ukraine became independent. Israel has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Tel Aviv and a consulate-general in Haifa. There are 30,000 Ukrainians settled in Israel, while Ukraine has one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. Ukraine was also the first state outside of Israel to have had both a Jewish president and prime minister simultaneously.
Kazakhstan–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Before 1918, both countries were part of the Russian Empire and until 1991 they were part of the USSR. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1991. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Kyiv and an honorary consulate in Odesa. Ukraine has an embassy in Astana and a consulate-general in Almaty. There are between 895,000 and 2,400,000 ethnic Ukrainians living in Kazakhstan. Both countries are full members of TRACECA, of the Baku Initiative, of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Partnership for Peace and of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. They are only 468 kilometres (291 mi) apart at their closest points.
Turkey–Syria relations are the relations between the Republic of Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic. Turkey shares its longest common border with Syria; various geographic and historical links also tie the two neighbouring countries together.
Armenian–Syrian relations are foreign relations between Armenia and Syria. Armenia has an embassy in Damascus and a consulate general in Aleppo. In 1997, Syria opened an embassy in Yerevan. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa visited Armenia in March 1992.
Saudi Arabia–Syria relations refer to bilateral and economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria. Diplomatic ties between these two countries of the Middle East have long been strained by the major events in the region. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Damascus, and Syria has an embassy in Riyadh. Both countries are members of the Arab League and share close cultural ties.
Oman–Syria relations refer to the relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and Syria. Oman has an embassy in Damascus; while Syria has an embassy in Muscat. Both are members of the Arab League, and despite the ongoing civil war occurring in Syria, Oman has not closed its embassy in Syria and both countries maintain diplomatic relations, in sharp contrast to other Arab states of the Persian Gulf who have cut off diplomatic ties with Syria and closed their embassies.
Abkhazia–Syria relations refers to the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Abkhazia and Syria.
Spain–Syria relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the Syrian Arab Republic. Siria has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Damascus. Both countries are charter members of the Union for the Mediterranean, although Syria suspended its membership in 2011.
International sanctions against Syria are a series of economic sanctions and restrictions imposed on Syria which was under the Ba'athist regime at that time by the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, mainly as a result of the repression of civilians in the Syrian civil war from 2011 onwards. The US sanctions against Syria are the most severe, as they affect third-parties as well, and amount to an embargo. U.S. secondary sanctions were limited until 2020 when the Caesar Act entered into force. The intent is to prevent the Syrian government from employing violence against its citizens and to motivate political reforms that could solve the root causes of the conflict.
Germany–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Syrian Arab Republic. Germany closed its Damascus embassy and stopped its recognition of Bashar Al-Assad in 2012 because of the Syrian civil war, but did not cut relations with the former Ba'athist regime until its official collapse in late 2024.
Qatar–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between Qatar and Syria. Qatar closed its Damascus embassy in 2011 until December 2024. Qatari government recognized National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and gave it the Syrian embassy in Doha. The relationship between both countries has changed significantly over the past few years, largely as a result of the civil war in Syria.
Kuwait and Syria established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1963. Syria has an embassy in Kuwait City. Kuwait has an embassy in Damascus. Both countries are members of the Arab League, Non-Aligned Movement and Group of 77.
Belarus–Syria relations refer to the relationship between Belarus and Syria. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus has an embassy in Damascus and Syria has an embassy in Minsk.
The Syrian transitional government is the incumbent transitional government of Syria. It was established in December 2024 by the Syrian opposition after Ahmed al-Sharaa, Emir of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and now the de facto Syrian head of state, appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as Prime Minister, replacing Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali on 10 December. This came after the fall of the Assad regime and the exile of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Embassy of Ukraine, Damascus is the official diplomatic mission of Ukraine in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Embassy of Syria, Kyiv is the official diplomatic mission of the Syrian Arab Republic in Ukraine.
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