Trump holds talks with Syria’s al-Sharaa on sanctions relief, recovery

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, May 31, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and reviewed the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern.

President al-Sharaa underscored the importance of sustained international support for Syria throughout its reconstruction and recovery process, stressing that the removal of the remaining sanctions is a key step toward revitalising the Syrian economy and improving the living standards of the Syrian people, Caliber.Az reports via Syrian media.

He noted that lifting the outstanding sanctions would help attract investment and create favourable conditions for the return of economic and development projects across critical sectors, contributing to broader development efforts and enhancing stability throughout the country.

The discussion also covered regional security developments and the challenges stemming from ongoing tensions across the region. President al-Sharaa emphasised the need to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue in addressing crises, arguing that such an approach would strengthen regional security and stability while helping to prevent further escalation.

For his part, President Trump expressed interest in closely monitoring developments in Syria and the wider region, reaffirming the importance of preserving stability and supporting Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

At the end of the conversation, both leaders agreed to maintain communication and coordination on issues of shared interest in a way that serves the interests of both countries and contributes to reinforcing security and stability across the region.

In May 2025, Trump held talks with al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries in 25 years. The White House chief announced that the United States would begin lifting sanctions that had been imposed on Damascus over several decades during the rule of Hafez al-Assad and his son, Bashar al-Assad. A day before meeting al-Sharaa, Trump, who was on a tour of the Middle East, revealed his decision to start rolling back US sanctions against Syria.

By Jeyhun Aghazada