UN hails Syria sanctions relief as ‘historic’ shift
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UN welcomes Syria sanctions relief and financial reforms, calling latest steps historic for easing economic crisis under new transitional leadership.
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Trucks carrying around 60 displaced families arrive in their village after more than five years in the Atmeh camps near the Syrian-Turkish border, in Kafr Sijna, south of Idlib, Syria, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
The United Nations expressed strong approval on Wednesday for a series of recent international measures aimed at easing Syria’s economic crisis and supporting its recovery in the wake of a major political transition.
Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Syria, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen said the developments, which include sanctions relief, steps toward resolving Syria’s debt obligations, and support for public sector salaries and energy access, are “historic” and could offer a much-needed lifeline to the war-torn nation.
“And I warmly welcome these international steps,” Pedersen said. “This includes not only initiatives on sanctions relief, but also to resolve Syria's outstanding obligations to international financial institutions, support in the payment of public sector salaries and ensuring the provision of critical energy resources.”
The comments come one day after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the European Union would begin lifting economic sanctions on Syria, saying the move was intended “to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.”
The deal was reached by ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani thanked the EU for lifting its economic sanctions on his country.
US announces easing sanctions on Syria
The announcement followed a similar pledge from US President Donald Trump, who during his Middle East tour vowed to remove American sanctions on Syria, signaling a shift in Western policy toward engagement with the country’s new transitional government.
This announcement came just before the US-Gulf summit held in Riyadh, signaling a shift in US policy toward Syria and the broader Middle East. Trump had previously expressed concerns over the lack of progress in Syria's peace process, but this move is seen as a step toward facilitating dialogue and improving regional stability.
Trump’s talks with Syria’s interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, prior to the summit, marked a critical moment in US-Syria relations. The discussions focused on Syria’s future and the importance of international cooperation in rebuilding the country. With the backing of Saudi Arabia, one of the most influential countries in the region, this move could help bring Syria back into the fold of regional politics, after years of isolation.
According to Time magazine, the sanctions to be lifted, some of which have been in place since 1979, have included measures such as freezing Syrian assets, banning petroleum imports, and isolating the country from the global economy.
However, certain restrictions, particularly those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, remain in place and will require Congressional approval to be fully lifted, according to Time.
