Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

EU eyes Syria sanctions relief to curb Russia: WashPo

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Washington Post
  • 24 Jan 2025 17:16
4 Min Read

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.

Listen
  • x
  • A man raises the new Syrian flag at a security building, in Nawa, near Daraa, Syria, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
    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).

Related News

2 killed, 11 injured in armed attack on passenger bus in Syria

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

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.

  • Syria
  • Russia
  • Sanctions on Syria
  • HTS

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS