Zelenskyy: Ukraine aims to expand reliable partnerships this year, including Syria

During his address, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he was informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha and the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitalii Koval about their negotiations in Syria with the new Syrian administration and in Lebanon with Lebanese businesses.

During the negotiations, the prospects of cooperation in this region, in particular in the spheres of security and trade, were discussed.

"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," - Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He added that currently Ukrainian exports to Lebanon amount to 400 million dollars of agricultural exports alone. And Ukraine plans to double this amount in the future.

The President of Ukraine also announced more active engagement with Africa in 2025, noting that each such new partnership means greater opportunities for Ukrainian diplomacy and the Ukrainian economy.

"I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare some of our specific agreements with African countries.

Over the past year, 2024, we succeeded in boosting Ukrainian exports by 15% – which is an increase of more than $5 billion compared to the level of 2023, and this amounts to more than $41 billion in Ukrainian exports for the year. And in the conditions of full-scale war, it is quite significant. The task for the year 2025 is to continue this growth," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also thanked all Ukrainian Government officials, diplomats, Ukrainian businesses that ensure ties with the world, as well as all warriors and units that ensure the security of Ukrainian export routes, especially in the Black Sea: the Defence Forces, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service - absolutely to everyone involved.

IC UAC according to the official website of the President of Ukraine