Syria Pursues Strategic Partnerships with Ukraine Amid Shifting Alliances

Syria’s new foreign minister seeks “strategic partnerships” with Ukraine, highlighting potential collaboration in several sectors. Ukraine has pledged to increase food aid shipments to Syria amid reduced Russian influence. Historical ties to Russia for food supplies are now disrupted, prompting Syria to explore relations with Kyiv as the geopolitical landscape shifts.

Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, expressed the nation’s aspiration for “strategic partnerships” with Ukraine during discussions with Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. This diplomatic overture occurs as Kyiv seeks to solidify relations with Syria’s current Islamist administration amidst diminishing Russian influence in the region. Al-Shibani emphasized the potential for collaborations across various sectors, including politics, economics, social issues, and science. He noted shared experiences of suffering between the Syrian and Ukrainian peoples, highlighting the challenges stemming from Syria’s prolonged civil war and Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.

In response to this budding alliance, Ukraine has committed to increasing food aid shipments to Syria, with Sybiha confirming the imminent arrival of approximately 20 shipments of flour. This initiative is particularly timely as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently announced a humanitarian effort involving the transportation of 500 metric tons of wheat flour to Syria under the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme.

The traditionally Russian-dominated food supply chain to Syria has been disrupted, as Moscow’s wheat exports have been stalled due to uncertainties regarding the new leadership in Damascus. Previously, Syria relied heavily on Russian imports during Bashar al-Assad’s tenure, but complications such as payment delays have emerged following regime changes. The fate of Russian military installations in Syria is also in question, with discussions anticipated between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the new Syrian leadership regarding the operational status of these bases.

The geopolitical landscape in Syria has shifted significantly following the rise of the Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has supplanted former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Russia has historically supported Assad and maintained military facilities in Syria. However, the current leadership’s ascension has prompted Ukraine to explore strategic ties with Syria as part of its broader foreign policy goals and humanitarian efforts. Syria’s previous dependence on Russian food supplies makes the establishment of ties with Kyiv particularly relevant as Ukraine seeks to open new markets for its agricultural exports.

In conclusion, the prospect of strategic ties between Syria and Ukraine marks a significant shift in the region’s dynamics, particularly with the waning influence of Russia. Growing collaboration in food aid and other sectors reflects a mutual recognition of shared challenges and may pave the way for renewed partnerships. As the situation evolves, the status of Russian military operations in Syria remains precarious, highlighting the fluid nature of international relationships in the area.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com