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

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.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine and Switzerland will work together to help the people of Syria with food. Source: Zelenskyy’s evening address Quote: "...we can help stabilise Syria together.

Russia’s abandonment of the Assad regime to marshal more resources for the fight against Ukraine vividly illustrates that Putin is ready to sacrifice everything for total victory in the war. Although Putin tries to portray himself as a realist, he has become consumed with Ukraine, to the exclusion of almost all other foreign policy imperatives.

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

On December 18, Zelensky met with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte in Brussels to discuss enhancing air defense for Ukraine and ensuring the sustainability of peace. In the following days, he met with top EU officials in Brussels to discuss the importance of Western efforts to achieve a "just peace."

Ukraine will help stabilise the situation in Syria by launching the Grain from Ukraine programme, aimed at collaborating with the Syrian administration and all partners ready to offer support. Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "We will communicate with Europeans and the USA to ensure the support is as strong as possible.

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.

Hundreds of tonnes of grain have been sent to Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad as part of the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian programme launched by the Ukrainian leader. #EuropeNews

Ukraine announced plans Thursday to restore diplomatic relations with Syria following last month’s collapse of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s Russian-backed government in December 2024.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Syria's de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a high-profile visit to Damascus.

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.