Ukraine will renew diplomatic ties with Syria as part of an international effort to help stabilize the country following the collapse last month of the Russian-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the move along with plans to establish a “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian program for Syria.

“We will communicate with the Europeans and America so that the support is as strong as possible,” Mr. Zelenskyy said on his Telegram social media page.

Ukraine also plans to increase its trade with Lebanon. Mr. Zelenskyy said his country’s agricultural exports to Beirut total $400 million. He wants to at least double that amount in 2025.

“More stability in the Middle East means more peace and trade for all partners,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine is one of the world’s leading grain-exporting countries, but Syria traditionally relied on Russia for its supply. Kyiv will immediately ship about 500 tons of flour to Syria, enough to meet the nutritional needs of more than 160,000 people for a month, officials said.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, laid the groundwork for resuming diplomatic relations with Syria following a visit in late December with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto ruler. Under his nom de guerre, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, he led Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, an insurgent group involved in Syria’s civil war that now controls most of the country.

“We rely on the new Syria respecting international law, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory,” Mr. Sybiha said in a statement after the meeting. “This will pave the way to fully restoring our diplomatic ties, political dialogue and diplomatic presence.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.