Trump meets with Syria's interim president after pledging to lift sanctions on war-torn country

Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:41 am

Trump Shifts Syria Policy, Meets Interim President, and Lifts Sanctions

In a surprising move, President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, signaling a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the war-torn nation. This meeting, the first high-level interaction between the two countries' leadership since 2000, occurred on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, where Trump was on a four-day regional tour.

The meeting followed Trump's announcement that he would lift all sanctions against Syria, a decision he framed as a step towards normalizing relations and fostering peace. "We are currently exploring normalizing relations with Syria's new government," Trump stated, highlighting the importance of the meeting with al-Sharaa and a planned meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Syrian Foreign Minister in Turkey. Trump emphasized the crippling impact of the sanctions, stating that lifting them would give Syria a "fresh start" and a "chance for greatness."

The announcement was met with celebrations in Syria, and the Syrian Foreign Ministry hailed the move as a "pivotal turning point." Trump expressed his strong belief that this policy change would provide Syria with a valuable opportunity to rebuild.

This decision marks a departure from previous U.S. policy, which had largely focused on isolating the Syrian government. The move could have significant implications for the region, potentially impacting the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian situation in Syria.

BNN's Perspective: While the lifting of sanctions and the engagement with Syrian leadership could potentially open doors for peace and stability, it's crucial to carefully monitor the Syrian government's actions and ensure that any normalization of relations is contingent on human rights improvements and accountability for past atrocities. The potential for this policy shift to be exploited by the Syrian government also needs to be carefully considered.

Keywords: Donald Trump, Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, sanctions, lifting sanctions, Middle East, foreign policy, Gulf Cooperation Council, Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister, normalization, peace, war, Riyadh, U.S. policy, interim president, Middle East tour, Syria conflict

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