Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Damascus for security cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged to work for enhanced security in talks on Sunday with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa, as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the Iran war.

Zelenskiy, continuing his tour of Middle East countries, also said Ukraine wants to contribute to food security in the region.

In recent weeks, Zelenskiy has visited several countries across the Middle East, offering Ukrainian expertise in countering drone and missile attacks, developed during its four-year war with Russia.

"We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. "There is a great interest in exchanging military and security experience."

Zelenskiy told the Syrian leader that Ukraine, as a major grain producer, was a reliable supplier of food and said the two leaders "discussed joint opportunities to strengthen food security across the region."

In Turkey on Saturday, Zelenskiy said he had agreed on "new steps" in security cooperation with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and discussed opportunities in joint gas infrastructure projects and gas field development.

"Today in Damascus we continue our active Ukrainian diplomacy aimed at real security and economic cooperation," Zelenskiy said on X after his arrival.

It was the Ukrainian leader's first trip to Syria since diplomatic relations were re-established at the end of last year following the fall of Syria's long-time strongman Bashar al-Assad.

Zelenskiy's talks with Sharaa were linked to defence in light of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, said one Syrian source, a government adviser. Syria is not known to have any air defences capable of dealing with Iranian drones or missiles.

During Zelenskiy's visits to Gulf states last weekend, Ukraine signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and he said that a similar agreement was close to completion with UAE.

Syria is home to two major Russian military bases, used by its navy and air force. Sharaa said on Tuesday at an event in Chatham House in London that work was under way to transform these into "centres to train the Syrian army."