President Zelenskyy: This year, we may add more reliable partners, especially Syria

“I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare some of our specific agreements with African countries,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a traditional address to the Ukrainian nation on Jan. 2.

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha and Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitalii Koval have just reported on their talks in Syria and Lebanon with the new Syrian administration, with Lebanese business, and on our overall prospects – both security and trade – in the region. This year, we may add more countries to our reliable partners, particularly Syria. We are preparing to renew our diplomatic relations with Syria and our cooperation within international organizations. I want to thank our intelligence for the security framework of these contacts. The visit will also lead to increased trade with Lebanon: our agricultural exports alone to that country currently total $400 million, and we are preparing to at least double that amount. The year 2025 will also bring a more active engagement with Africa, and each such new partnership means greater opportunities for our diplomacy and greater opportunities for our economy.

Full text of the address: Office of the President of Ukraine