In brief
This historic encounter marks the first direct leadership meeting between the U.S. and Syria in 25 years, indicating a significant change in diplomatic relations and potential lifting of U.S. sanctions.
In a momentous event on May 14, 2025, President Trump held a ground-breaking meeting with the newly appointed President of Syria, Ahmed al-Shara, in Riyadh, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. This is the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders of the two nations in a quarter of a century, coinciding with Trump's announcement to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, which has long been viewed as a vital factor for Middle Eastern stability. The meeting lasted around thirty minutes and took place prior to a summit with leaders from six Arab nations. President Trump, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressed confidence in Mr. al-Shara's leadership, noting a "tremendous opportunity" for historical progress in Syria. Trump urged al-Shara to work toward normalizing relations with Israel and expelling foreign militants from Syria.The Royale Palace shared images from the meeting, illustrating the participation of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who joined the discussions via telephone. Analysts view this engagement as a remarkable comeback for al-Shara, who has distanced himself from his past association with Al Qaeda to adopt a more diplomatic stance after leading the insurgent movement that removed Bashar al-Assad from power.Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that Syria possesses the resources and capabilities to re-integrate into the international community, which was a focal point of their discussions. The U.S. had previously maintained a cautious distance from al-Shara's government due to concerns over his intent and actions regarding terrorism.Trump's diplomatic efforts during this term included fostering personal relationships with Gulf leaders, particularly Aron Prince Mohammed bin Salman, allowing for a more collaborative dialogue on instability in Syria. The historic meeting could pave the way for further economic cooperation and stability in the region. As Trump continues his Middle East tour, he is expected to head to Qatar after concluding this summit, which has the potential to reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East in the coming years.
