Trump ends sanctions, meets Syria’s new leader unexpectedly

DDM News

In a landmark diplomatic move, former United States President Donald Trump has made history by meeting Syria’s new interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

This is the first time in over 25 years that an American president, sitting or former, has held direct talks with a Syrian head of state.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the meeting took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of a regional summit involving Gulf Cooperation Council leaders.

Sharaa, who rose to power following the ouster of long-time Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, heads a transitional government backed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s visit came just one day after he announced the lifting of longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria.

According to Trump, the decision was intended to give the war-torn nation a fresh start.

“It’s their time to shine,” he declared. “Easing sanctions will give them a chance at greatness.”

The sanctions, originally imposed during the peak of Syria’s civil war, had effectively cut the country off from international financial systems and obstructed reconstruction efforts.

Trump’s reversal has drawn mixed reactions globally but was celebrated by many Syrians on the ground.

In Damascus’s Umayyad Square, jubilant citizens took to the streets in response to the news.

Huda Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher, told reporters that the decision could lead to reduced prices, the return of displaced families, and widespread rebuilding.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry described the development as a “pivotal turning point” toward national stability and economic renewal.

Analysts say the policy shift could open the door for foreign investments, especially from the Syrian diaspora and Gulf nations.

Rabha Seif Allam, a Cairo-based political analyst, said lifting the sanctions gives Syria a real opportunity to restore central governance and launch major reconstruction projects.

However, major obstacles remain.

Trump has not removed Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that continues to deter significant international investment.

Meanwhile, Israel has expressed strong skepticism toward the new Syrian leadership and has maintained airstrikes within Syrian territory.

Adding to the controversy, Trump’s trip will continue in Qatar, where a political storm is already brewing.

The Gulf state reportedly offered Trump a $400 million luxury aircraft, raising ethical and constitutional concerns among U.S. lawmakers.

Critics argue that accepting such a gift could violate American laws governing foreign influence and personal enrichment.

Nevertheless, the Trump-Sharaa meeting has already sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles in Washington and the Middle East.

This unexpected move may signify a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy while providing Syria with a rare opportunity to rebuild after years of devastating conflict.

Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, stemmed from nationwide protests against the Assad regime.

The conflict soon escalated into one of the most devastating wars in the Middle East, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacing millions.

Assad’s rule was marked by widespread destruction, international condemnation, and punitive sanctions.

By late 2024, internal rebellion combined with external diplomatic pressure led to Assad’s ouster.

Ahmed al-Sharaa emerged as a consensus leader among regional powers to lead Syria’s transitional phase.

Trump’s controversial engagement with this new administration has opened an unpredictable but potentially hopeful chapter in Syria’s turbulent history.

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