EU eyes Syria sanctions relief to curb Russia: WashPo
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Moscow, a longtime ally of al-Assad, has seen its position in Syria weakened, WashPo states, adding that prospects for retaining its military bases in the country remain uncertain.
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A man raises the new Syrian flag at a security building, in Nawa, near Daraa, Syria, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
The Washington Post on Friday revealed that European countries are nearing a consensus on easing sanctions against Syria. This move is intended to support the nation's political transition, engage with its new Islamist leadership, and reduce Russia's regional influence.
The policy change is expected to be discussed at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels next week, according to five European diplomats and two internal documents reviewed by the newspaper.
The sanctions relief would be gradual and contingent on Syria's new government respecting what the Europeans described as the rights of women and ethnic and religious minorities.
"The approach should be step-for-step, meaning sanction relief tied to positive developments," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated to The Post. "If we see the opposite happening, the EU must be ready to reverse. This is our leverage."
This shift would signal a major policy realignment for Europe. It could offer critical support to Syria's struggling economy, which has been devastated by over 13 years of war, while also lending legitimacy to the country's new rulers. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, now leads Syria after spearheading the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Discussions on whether to remove HTS from the terrorist organization list will take place later, depending on developments in Syria and an assessment of its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani).
The EU and US severed ties with Syria in 2011. Since then, sanctions have severely restricted the country's oil exports, trade, and banking activities. Although the US recently issued temporary sanctions exemptions to facilitate humanitarian aid, the proposed European measures would go further, easing restrictions on energy, transportation, and banking, while keeping weapon bans and targeted sanctions against Assad's associates in place.
Sanctions Relief
European governments backing the initiative—Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, and Denmark—see sanctions relief as a way to unlock billions in investment for Syria's reconstruction. "Easing of sanctions against Syria could help unlock billions of dollars in assistance and investments," noted the Eurasia Group consultancy. However, debates remain over the timeline, monitoring mechanisms, and safeguards to prevent democratic backsliding.
The proposal also aims to stabilize Syria and encourage Syrian refugees in Europe to return. Many European countries, having halted asylum processing after Assad's fall, are keen to improve conditions in Syria to make repatriation more viable. Syrian columnist Haid Haid observed that while lifting sanctions could significantly benefit Syrians, a coordinated approach with the US will be key to sustaining long-term economic recovery.
At the same time, Europe's strategy seeks to diminish Russia's influence. Moscow, a longtime ally of Assad, has seen its position in Syria weakened, WashPo states, adding that prospects for retaining its military bases in the country remain uncertain. "Russia losing its bases in Syria would reduce the Kremlin's ability to wreak havoc in the region," said Kallas.
Read more: Damascus authorities terminate Russian contract for Tartus port
While HTS has promised to protect all communities in Syria, its ability to deliver remains a subject of scrutiny. Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, argued this week in Davos that sanctions inherited from the Assad era are hindering the nation's recovery. "Lifting them is the key for stability of Syria," he asserted.
