EU foreign ministers agree on plan to ease sanctions against Syria

Foreign Ministers of the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) have agreed on a roadmap for the phased lifting of sanctions restrictions against Syria. This was announced on January 27 by the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas.

"Just agreed a roadmap for easing EU sanctions on Syria," she wrote on social network X (former Twitter) at the end of the EU Council meeting in Brussels.

At the same time, she immediately warned that the EU could reinstate sanctions again if the actions of Syria's new authorities were "wrong."

"While we aim to act quickly, the lifting of sanctions could be reversed if the wrong steps are taken," Callas said.

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Earlier, on January 24, The Washington Post reported that the EU is ready to agree on easing sanctions on Syria for its early recovery and for the sake of limiting Russia's influence in the region. It was noted that the condition for the easing of sanctions is the demonstration by the Syrian authorities of respect for the rights of women, as well as ethnic and religious minorities.

Prior to that, on January 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will continue to support Syria in stabilizing the situation in the country, but it is up to Syrians themselves to determine its future. He added that Moscow sincerely wishes the Syrian people to successfully overcome all the challenges that have arisen in connection with the current transition period.

On the same day it became known that the German authorities will pay €1.7 thousand to migrants who want to return to Syria. In addition to one-time support, migrants can apply to the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) to cover airfare and other transportation costs, which are financed by the government.

On December 8, 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resigned as head of state after talks with the opposition and left the country, instructing a peaceful transfer of power. Syria's national coalition of revolutionary and opposition forces said it was working to form a transitional authority. The country is expected to hold a referendum.

The situation in Syria escalated as a result of a major attack by armed groups in Aleppo and Idlib, which began on November 28 and led to the Syrian army's retaliation against the militants.