Syrian President Al-Shara Advocates for Sanction Relief to Aid Recovery and Discusses Ongoing Israel Negotiations

In an exclusive interview with the Washington Post after his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara stated that removing sanctions on Syria is a "critical step" for the nation to recover from years of conflict and hardship.

Al-Shara noted that President Trump's policies "clearly demonstrate support for Syria's stability and territorial integrity, as well as the goal of fully lifting economic sanctions." He mentioned that this perspective is gaining traction among U.S. lawmakers, stating, "Most members of Congress I met with favor lifting the sanctions and understand that the Syrian people need an opportunity to rebuild their economy and restore normalcy."

The Syrian leader added that the U.S. administration "recognizes that Syria should be a stable nation capable of maintaining its territorial integrity and developing its economy," emphasizing that discussions between Damascus and Washington are progressing in a "positive and constructive" manner.

Negotiations with Israel Under U.S. and International Oversight

On the subject of relations with Israel, al-Shara indicated that Syria "aims to reach an agreement that would return the Syrian territories occupied since last December." However, he clarified that Damascus "does not endorse the broader normalization agreements that the Trump administration has encouraged other regional governments to pursue."

He remarked that negotiations with Israel are "challenging but ongoing, with support from the United States and other international stakeholders," adding that any future agreement "will necessitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces to their positions prior to the fall of the Assad regime on December 8."

In conclusion, President al-Shara asserted that the United States "remains the sole nation capable of influencing Israel's actions and ensuring adherence to any forthcoming agreements," reiterating that Syria "seeks a fair peace that secures its rights and full sovereignty over its territories."