Ukraine has been one of the world's top grain and oilseeds exporters, and has been exporting wheat and corn to Middle Eastern countries, but not to Syria.

Syria imported food from Russia during the Assad era, but Russian wheat supplies have been suspended amid the uncertainty and payment delays, Russian and Syrian sources said on Friday.

"We are ready to assist Syria in preventing a food crisis, particularly through the humanitarian program 'Grain from Ukraine'," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

"I have instructed the government to establish food supply mechanisms in cooperation with international organizations and partners who can help."

Today, following reports from our government officials, we agreed on actions regarding Syria—primarily humanitarian and security efforts aimed at stabilization. For Ukraine, this is important: the calmer the situation in such regions, the more actively the world can help us…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2024

Ukraine's exports were buffeted by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, which severely reduced shipments via the Black Sea. Ukraine has since broken a de facto sea blockade and revived exports from its southern ports of Odesa.