Ukraine is capitalising on its strategic asset – grain exports – to carve out a diplomatic foothold in Syria, a longtime ally of Moscow as Damascus seeks urgent supplies to refill its granaries. As the US introduced sanctions waivers allowing deals with Syria's governing institutions,

The Ukrainian delegation, headed by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, has arrived in Damascus. They are holding a meeting with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian television, Al Arabiya,

Israeli forces detained more than 240 Palestinians including dozens of medical staff from a north Gaza hospital they raided on Friday, including its director, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave and Israel's military.

What is Ukraine looking to get out of it? Some of Zelenskyy's moves are "raw power play", aimed at "rubbing the Kremlin's nose" in its failure to prevent the fall of Assad, wrote

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was preparing to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria, less than a month after the overthrow of the Russia-backed government in Damascus.

Ukraine is pledging support for the new authorities in Syria, which was once a key Russian ally in the Mideast.

As Russia clings to its only bases in the Mediterranean — they’re on the coast of Syria — Ukraine is moving aggressively to displace Moscow as Syria’s main source of imported grain. Soon to follow are university educations, military drone technologies, and aid on investigating war crimes.

The visit comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a large shipment of wheat flour to war-torn Syria, as the two countries seek to reset relations following years of tensions over former President Bashar al-Assad's alliance with Russia.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Damascus (Syria) delivered a message from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the new leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.Sybiha

Ukraine’s top diplomat said that the country is ready to restore diplomatic relations with Syria after the collapse of the pro-Russian Assad regime.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the setting up of “Grain from Ukraine” fund in order to provide security and economic prospects for stabilising Syria. The announcement was made on Thursday.

Kyiv cut ties with Syria in 2022 after it recognised the “independence” of Russia-occupied territories in Ukraine. Read more at straitstimes.com.