Russian wheat shipments to Syria have been suspended due to uncertainty surrounding the new government in Damascus and delays in payments, Russian and Syrian sources confirmed on Friday.

The disruption comes in the wake of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which has left Syria’s relationship with its key trade partner Russia in question. Russian naval vessels stationed at the Tartus naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast have recently vacated the facility.

During the Assad era, Russia was a major supplier of wheat to Syria, meeting critical food needs in the war-torn country. However, the current instability and financial issues have led to halted deliveries, with reports suggesting that at least two vessels carrying Russian wheat failed to reach their intended destinations.

In response to the food supply uncertainty in Syria, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Vitaliy Koval announced on Friday that Ukraine is ready to step in and supply food to Syria. 

Speaking to Reuters, Koval stated, “Where it is difficult, we have to be there with our food. We are open to supplying our food, and if Syria needs food—then we are there.”Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this stance, saying on Saturday that he had instructed his government to set up food supply mechanisms in coordination with international organizations and global partners to aid Syria in the aftermath of Assad’s fall.

Ukraine, historically one of the world’s top exporters of grain and oilseeds, has been a major supplier of wheat and corn to Middle Eastern countries. However, Syria has not traditionally been part of its export destinations.

Ukraine’s grain exports suffered a severe setback following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, which triggered a blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has managed to revive its exports by breaking the blockade and resuming shipments from its southern ports, particularly Odesa.