Trump Meets Syrian President for the First Time in 25 Years

On May 15, 2025, a historic event took place. U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President, Ahmad Al-Shara. This was the first time in over 25 years that a sitting American president shook hands with a Syrian leader. The meeting happened just before a big Gulf summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This is very important because, for many years, the U.S. kept a big distance from Syria. The countries did not have direct contact, mainly because of ongoing wars and sanctions. In fact, no American president has met with a Syrian head of state in such a formal way since the late 1990s. So, Trump’s handshake with Al-Shara marks a huge change in American policy and relations with Syria.

The meeting took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It happened just before the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders gathered for a regional summit. The White House said the two leaders had a short meeting. They discussed the current situation in Syria and the possibility of better relations. Trump also announced that the U.S. was planning to lift some of its economic sanctions on Syria, which would allow more trade and dialogue.

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This decision came after support from Turkey and Saudi Arabia for the Syrian interim government. Both countries want peace and stability in Syria. They believe that removing some sanctions and opening talks could help end the long-standing conflict. The U.S. is also showing openness to this idea, which could lead to more diplomacy with Syria in the future.

Historically, U.S.-Syria relations have been tense ever since the Syrian civil war started in 2011. There were almost no official contacts between the countries during this time. Now, with this handshake, it seems like the U.S. is ready to change its approach and work towards peace in the region.

This moment is very important because it might open the door to new talks and better relationships. Countries in the Middle East hope this will help bring stability and end many years of fighting. People around the world are watching closely, hoping for a new path toward peace in the region. This meeting shows how politics can change, and how leaders can take steps towards diplomacy, even after many years of tension.