Zelensky: Ukraine has started providing food aid to Syria.

Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on Friday (December 27) that Ukraine has sent its first batch of food aid to Syria.

Zelensky stated that 500 tons of wheat flour are being shipped to Syria as part of the humanitarian initiative “Grain from Ukraine,” carried out in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Program.

On the social platform X, he said, “The wheat flour will be distributed to 33,250 families, approximately 167,000 people, over the next few weeks. Each bag of flour weighs 15 kilograms, enough for a family of five to consume for one month.”

The recently ousted Assad regime in Syria had close ties with Russia. After Assad’s fall, Ukraine expressed its desire to restore relations with Syria.

While Ukraine typically exports wheat and corn to Middle Eastern countries, it does not usually export to Syria.

During Assad’s rule, Syria mainly imported food from Russia. However, sources revealed that due to recent uncertainties, Russia had suspended wheat supplies to Syria earlier this month.

Ukraine is a major producer and exporter of grains and oilseeds globally. Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, its exports were severely disrupted, with a significant reduction in shipping volumes in the Black Sea. Nevertheless, Ukraine has since broken the de facto maritime blockade and resumed exports from the southern port of Odessa.

(This article is based on reports from Reuters)