On Tuesday, December 31, more than two dozen trucks will arrive in Syria to deliver 500 tons of Ukrainian flour as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. This is the first batch. In total, Ukraine is ready to deliver many times more. This was stated by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga following talks in Damascus, UNN reports citing the Foreign Ministry.
I am here to convey to the Syrian people a personal message from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy: we stand with you. We are ready to help the Syrian people, because Ukraine is interested in a stable Syria and the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. We promised to support food security and we are fulfilling our promise in a short time. Tomorrow, more than two dozen trucks will arrive in Syria to deliver 500 tons of Ukrainian flour as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program
The minister noted that Ukrainian flour would be enough to feed more than thirty-three thousand Syrian families, or one hundred and sixty-seven thousand Syrians, for a month.
"This is free humanitarian aid. This is the first batch. In total, we are ready to deliver many times more. Our delegation includes Vitaliy Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, which demonstrates the seriousness of our intentions to develop cooperation in this area," Sibiga said.
The Minister emphasized that Ukraine remains a guarantor of food security and helps others even in times of war.
"This is a symbolic contrast. Russia exported bombs, death and destruction to Syria. Ukraine exports flour, guarantees of life and recovery," the Minister added.
Addendum
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga confirmed his visit to Damascus and meeting with the new Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Before that, the media reported that the new Syrian leader had held talks with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish contacts with the new Syrian government. On December 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported on the first contacts with the new Syrian government at the ministerial level. Ukraine shipped 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria as part of the "Grain from Ukraine" program.