The states have taken a new step in the international political arena - Washington has submitted to the UN Security Council a draft resolution providing for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the interim president of Syria, Ahmad al-Shar'a, and the country's Interior Minister, Anas Hassan Khattab. Reuters reported this, citing its sources.
As White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt announced, the Syrian leader will visit Washington on November 10th and meet with US President Donald Trump. According to Axios, the meeting is expected to discuss the expansion of the international coalition against ISIS and the signing of an official agreement on Syria's accession.
Reuters notes that even if the UN Security Council does not hold a vote on this resolution before the planned meeting with Trump, this will not stop al-Shar'a's journey. The reason is that the UN sanctions committee has previously issued travel permits to the leaders of the Syrian interim government. It was also reported in September that Syrian Foreign Minister Hassan al-Shibani visited the US for the first time in 25 years.
In recent months, Washington has been calling on UN Security Council members to ease pressure on Damascus. It is not yet clear when the new US resolution will be put to a vote. Its adoption requires a "yes" vote from at least nine countries and a veto by permanent members - Russia, China, the USA, France, or the UK.
It is said that the Trump administration intends to restore relations with Syria and strengthen its sphere of influence in the region this way. In May, the US President announced in a statement that he would drastically change his policy towards Syria and gradually lift economic restrictions imposed on the country.
At the same time, on October 15, Ahmad al-Shar'a visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, he stated that the new government in Damascus would remain committed to all previously concluded treaties and agreements with Russia. Putin, in turn, emphasized Moscow's readiness to restore full-fledged relations with Syria.
Recall that at the end of 2024, al-Shar'a overthrew the government of Russia's long-time ally, Bashar al-Assad, and seized temporary power in Damascus. His military pseudonym was Abu Muhammad al-Julani, who was known for leading the insurgent movement "Front of Nusra."
Although Russia supported Assad's government militarily for many years, with the arrival of the new government, Moscow changed its policy. Assad and his family received political asylum in Russia. According to Russian media, the Asad family currently resides in Moscow.
Experts believe that if a UN resolution is adopted, it will not only revitalize the Syrian economy but also lay the groundwork for a new diplomatic era between Washington and Damascus. International political observers assess this process as an important step towards strengthening the Trump administration's influence in the Middle East.
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