Ukraine launches Grain Aid programme to back new Syrian regime

Ukraine has announced the launch of the "Grain from Ukraine" programme, aimed at supporting the new Syrian administration. This information was conveyed by President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Agriculture Minister Vitaliy Koval, who recently returned from a visit to Syria.

"Ukraine will support all efforts to stabilise Syria. We will set up the "Grain from Ukraine" program to cooperate with the Syrian administration and all interested partners. We will engage with the Europeans and America to ensure maximum support," wrote Zelensky on X.

President Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine will work with Europe and America to ensure Syria receives as much support as possible. "More stability in the Middle East means more peace and trade for all partners," he noted.

On Monday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, in Damascus. Sybiha pledged the delivery of food aid, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hasan al-Shibani expressed hope for a "strategic partnership" with Ukraine.

Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), announced on 8 December the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which had remained in power for years thanks to support from Russia and Iran. Assad fled to Russia, where he was granted asylum along with his family.