US President Donald Trump said Monday that his administration is considering lifting economic sanctions on Syria, aiming to offer a “fresh start” to Damascus. The statement comes amid growing international calls to ease restrictions following years of conflict in the country.

Trump explained that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had urged him to remove the sanctions, noting the ongoing discussions between Washington and Ankara regarding the situation in Syria, following the December ouster of the former Assad regime.

"We're going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that, "We may take them off of Syria because we want to give them a fresh start. But President Erdogan has asked me about that, many people have asked me about that."

"The way we have them sanctioned, it doesn't really give them much of a start. So we want to see if we can help them out. So we'll make that determination."

Erdogan pushes for sanctions relief

Trump's remarks reflect growing pressure Turkey, as Ankara intensifies its efforts to influence US policy on Syria's economic sanctions. On that note, Turkey remains a key regional player with vested interests in Syria’s future and post-war recovery.

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The comments also mark a possible shift in the US approach to Syria, aligning with broader international efforts to facilitate the country's stabilization and reintegration.

In turn, French President Emmanuel Macron echoed a similar stance last Wednesday, announcing that the European Union would begin easing its sanctions on Syria. His statement followed a meeting in Paris with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

“I told the president that if he continues on his path, we will continue on ours: first, by gradually lifting European economic sanctions,” Macron said.

Syria’s reconstruction and return of refugees

Macron emphasized the need to engage constructively with Damascus, stating that France would work with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) to establish a framework encouraging the return of Syrian refugees and skilled workers.

He added, "To do this, it will be necessary to provide guarantees on the proper use of international funds. France will ensure that the priorities it considers essential are taken into account in this framework, because, as I have said, the stability and unity of Syria are also essential for the stability of the Middle East."

Macron reaffirmed that sanctions imposed on the former regime should not be renewed, and committed to working with EU member states to overcome lingering reservations.

Furthermore, the coordinated signals from both the US and France point to a broader reassessment of Western policy toward Syria. With the new government in power, many view sanctions as a barrier to reconstruction and long-term stability.

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