Historic meeting marks thaw in US–Syria relations after a decade

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, marking the first high-level talks between the two nations in more than a decade.

According to the Syrian presidency, the discussions focused on “strengthening and developing” relations between Syria and the United States following Washington’s decision to extend partial sanctions relief on select Syrian industries, including humanitarian and energy-related sectors.

A statement released by Damascus said the meeting aimed to “open new horizons for cooperation based on mutual respect and shared regional stability.”

The White House described the talks as “constructive,” noting that both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining channels of communication and facilitating humanitarian aid efforts in Syria.

This move comes amid ongoing shifts in Middle East diplomacy, as Washington seeks to recalibrate its regional alliances and address humanitarian concerns in war-affected nations like Syria.