White House Sources Confirm Trump to Meet Syrian President al-Sharaa in Riyadh Wednesday
By Kardo Roj
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (North Press) – U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Riyadh, according to multiple reports citing White House sources. The meeting marks a potentially pivotal moment in U.S.-Syria relations, with international attention fixed on the prospect of diplomatic re-engagement and possible sanctions relief.
Reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse all cited U.S. officials confirming Trump’s decision to hold a “brief” meeting with al-Sharaa during his ongoing tour of the Gulf. The meeting will reportedly take place in the Saudi capital and is expected to include other regional leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
The move comes just days after speculation intensified around potential U.S.-Syria diplomacy, following leaks suggesting that al-Sharaa may propose a new direction in Syrian foreign policy—potentially involving normalization with Israel and efforts to secure the lifting of American sanctions.
Strategic Calculations in Riyadh
The meeting, though expected to be short, carries significant weight. It represents the first direct engagement between a U.S. president and Syria’s transitional leadership since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011. For Trump, the encounter provides an opportunity to reinforce his diplomatic outreach in the region while signaling flexibility in his foreign policy approach during his second presidential term.
According to The Times, the Riyadh summit will serve as a multilateral platform for discussing regional stability and economic cooperation. The inclusion of Abbas and Aoun suggests a broader agenda that may touch on peace prospects, security arrangements, and the evolving post-war political landscape in the Levant.
A U.S. official quoted by AFP described the planned exchange between Trump and al-Sharaa as “brief but symbolically important.”
Sanctions at the Center
At the heart of the anticipated dialogue is the issue of U.S. sanctions on Syria. Trump recently stated that he is considering partial or full sanctions relief, noting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has personally advocated for such a move. While the U.S. State Department has not confirmed any policy change, the meeting with al-Sharaa adds weight to the possibility of a shift.
Syria has been under heavy U.S. sanctions since the onset of the civil war, with the 2019 Caesar Act intensifying economic pressure on Damascus. These sanctions target Syrian government officials, military entities, and sectors such as construction and finance, with the stated goal of holding the regime accountable for human rights violations.
Should talks advance, the potential easing of sanctions would have wide-ranging implications, not only for Damascus but also for U.S. relations with regional actors such as Turkey, the Gulf states, and Israel.
Northeast Syria Observes with Caution
In North and East Syria, the Autonomous Administration (AANES) is watching developments closely. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), continue to play a crucial role in maintaining regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
For the AANES, any shift in U.S.-Damascus relations raises questions about future recognition, security assurances, and participation in Syria’s broader political resolution. While Washington has maintained support for the SDF’s role in combating terrorism and ensuring local governance, a rapprochement with Damascus could complicate this dynamic if not handled with inclusive political dialogue.
Regional and International Implications
The meeting also comes amid broader U.S. diplomatic activity in the Gulf, following the signing of a strategic economic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States earlier this week. Trump’s trip, which includes scheduled visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, underscores a renewed U.S. push to reassert influence in a region marked by competing agendas and ongoing conflicts.
The inclusion of the Syrian file within this context suggests a recalibration of priorities, where diplomatic openings are being explored in tandem with economic agreements and strategic realignments.
The evolving U.S.-Syria dynamic, set against the backdrop of a volatile regional order, will continue to attract scrutiny from policymakers, humanitarian observers, and security actors alike. For northeast Syria, where stability hinges on continued support and recognition, the implications of any breakthrough—or breakdown—will be profound.