Syria Agrees to Reduce Russian Oil Imports in Bid to Lift US Sanctions
Syria has agreed to significantly cut oil imports from Russia as part of negotiations with the US. The move is intended to facilitate Syria's removal from the state sponsor of terrorism list and improve ties with Washington.
The Reuters news agency reported that Syria has agreed to significantly reduce oil imports from Russia. This commitment was made following a request from the United States as part of ongoing negotiations to remove Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The regime of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara, which has relied on Russian oil for years, is now aspiring to move closer to Washington. According to reports, during discussions, American officials indicated that halting purchases of Russian oil would improve the chances for a swift and complication-free removal of Syria from the terrorism blacklist.
A source in the US State Department stated that Washington encourages Syria to cooperate with reliable business partners—particularly American companies—as part of the country's recovery process. The source added that the USA expects Syria to strictly adhere to the implementation of American sanctions against Russia.
A source in the Syrian Ministry of Energy told the agency that Damascus is already seeking new oil suppliers, and a significant shift in supply policy is expected. Syria was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, and this remains the primary source of sanctions following the cancellation of other measures by the Trump administration. Over the past year, Al-Shara has sought to move closer to Donald Trump and the West, and this latest concession appears to be part of that effort.
