Ukraine sends meals support to Syria, says Zelenskiy

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine, a world producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, has despatched its first batch of meals support to Syria, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Friday.

Zelenskiy stated that 500 metric tons of wheat flour have been already on their strategy to Syria as a part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative in cooperation with the United Nations World Meals Programme.

“The wheat flour is deliberate to be distributed to 33,250 households or 167,000 folks, within the coming weeks,” Zelenskiy stated on X, including: “Every bundle weighs 15 kilograms and may feed a household of 5 for one month.”

After the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, an in depth Russian ally, Ukraine has stated it desires to revive relations with Syria.

Kyiv historically exports wheat and corn to international locations within the Center East, however to not Syria.

Throughout Assad’s period, Syria imported meals from Russia. However Russian wheat provides to Syria have been suspended due to uncertainty, Russian and Syrian sources stated earlier this month.

Ukraine’s exports have been disrupted by Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which severely lowered shipments by way of the Black Sea. Ukraine has since damaged a de facto sea blockade and revived exports from its southern port of Odesa.