Last Monday (27), the European Union (EU) announced a highly significant measure in the international arena: the suspension of part of the economic sanctions that had been imposed on Syria over the past years. The decision was officially communicated by the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, who made the announcement upon his arrival at the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. The suspension of sanctions is considered an important step in Syria’s stabilization process, which is undergoing a significant political transition following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Barrot emphasized that the suspended sanctions primarily affect key sectors essential to the country’s economic recovery, such as the energy and transport sectors, as well as financial institutions that play a crucial role in stabilizing Syria’s economy. “Regarding Syria, we decided to suspend certain sanctions that were in place, particularly those affecting the energy, transport sectors, and the financial institutions critical to ensuring the country’s economic and financial stabilization,” said Barrot, highlighting the importance of creating space for reconstruction and the reestablishment of a smoother functioning Syrian economy.
The EU’s decision comes at a critical time for Syria, which has been enduring a devastating civil war for over a decade, marked by the near-total destruction of its infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy. The fall of Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria in an authoritarian manner for 54 years, represented a turning point both for the Syrian regime and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Assad’s deposition occurred on December 8, 2024, after a series of political and military battles between the government and a coalition of Islamic rebels, who managed to overthrow the dictator, ending a brutal regime of repression.
The Syrian civil war, which lasted 13 years, resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of people and millions of displaced individuals, creating one of the largest refugee crises in the modern world. Furthermore, the conflict destroyed large parts of Syria’s cities, leaving a trail of ruins, collapsed public services, and a population that lived in extreme poverty for much of the war. The war’s impact on Syrian society was devastating, and the sanctions imposed by the international community, especially Western powers, further exacerbated the situation, hindering the country’s recovery.
During these years, the EU’s sanctions, along with other Western sanctions, sought to isolate Assad’s regime, restricting its access to international trade, hindering the flow of resources and investments, and aiming to pressure the government to abandon its practices of repression and violence against the civilian population. However, the sanctions also had a devastating side effect on the Syrian population, which found itself deprived of essential resources such as food, medicine, and basic necessities. In a country already ravaged by war, the sanctions further worsened living conditions, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Now, with Assad’s fall and the possibility of a new phase for Syria, the European Union seems to be adopting a more pragmatic approach focused on reconstruction. The suspension of sanctions in the energy and transport sectors aims to facilitate the country’s economic recovery process, enabling Syria to access essential resources to rebuild its devastated infrastructure and improve the living conditions of its population. Additionally, the decision to suspend some of the financial sanctions aims to allow the country to reestablish ties with the global financial system, which is crucial for financing reconstruction projects and Syria’s reintegration into the world economy.
However, the situation in Syria is still highly volatile, and the country’s reconstruction is a monumental challenge. While the suspension of sanctions is a positive step towards economic recovery, Syria continues to face complex political issues, such as the formation of an inclusive new government and resolving internal tensions between different ethnic, religious, and political groups. The post-Assad transition will require a significant commitment from all parties involved, both nationally and internationally, to ensure that the peace process is sustainable and that the country can move towards lasting peace.
Syria’s future depends not only on a political solution but also on massive investment in its economic and social reconstruction. International community support, including that of the European Union, will be crucial to ensuring that the country receives the necessary funding to repair its infrastructure, restore public services, and meet the needs of a population devastated by war. Syria’s reconstruction will require close collaboration between governments, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the process is transparent and equitable.
In addition to discussions on Syria, the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting also addressed other important issues, such as sanctions against Russia. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, announced that the bloc intends to renew the sanctions imposed on Russia, with the renewal deadline expiring on January 31. These sanctions aim to pressure Vladimir Putin’s government to halt its military actions in Ukraine and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
The renewal of sanctions against Russia includes trade restrictions and measures affecting the Russian central bank’s assets as a way to pressure Moscow to reconsider its position and seek peace. However, Hungary, a key member of the European Union, has been an important actor in this process. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has shown reluctance to fully support sanctions against Russia, demanding guarantees regarding his country’s energy security before making a final decision on the renewal. Orbán also indicated that he would consult the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump before making a final decision.
These negotiations on sanctions against Russia, as well as the decision regarding Syria, reflect a complex and dynamic geopolitical landscape in which the European Union is trying to balance political and economic pressures with the needs of reconstruction and regional stability. The EU is, therefore, facing a decisive moment in its foreign policy, where the pursuit of lasting peace in Syria and managing relations with Russia require careful decisions and continued commitment to international diplomacy.
The suspension of sanctions against Syria represents a positive step, but the country’s future is still far from secure. Economic and political reconstruction will require the active participation of the international community, particularly the European Union, which will play a crucial role in providing financial support and mediating an inclusive peace process. At the same time, the renewal of sanctions against Russia will be a test of the European Union’s cohesion regarding its stance on energy security and pressure on Putin’s regime. These two issues will be at the center of international discussions in the coming months as the world seeks solutions for prolonged conflicts and their global consequences.
