US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met on the second day of the NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara. The two leaders discussed the reconstruction of Syria and developments in bilateral relations.
Sharaa thanks Trump for sanctions decision
According to Syria's official news agency SANA, Sharaa said in his address to Trump during the meeting: "President Donald Trump's historic decision to lift sanctions on Syria has earned the appreciation and gratitude of the Syrian people, along with the assistance of friends and supporters in the region, especially Turkey and the Gulf countries."
Sharaa also said: "We have achieved great success in liberating Syria, overthrowing the former regime, uniting the country and setting it on the right path. All of this was thanks to the Syrian people."
Third official meeting in 14 months
This meeting on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara was the third official encounter between the two leaders in the last 14 months. The diplomatic process began in May 2025 in the Saudi capital Riyadh, under the auspices of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The second meeting took place in November of the same year at the White House in Washington. These intensive diplomatic contacts paved the way for the start of joint coordination between the two countries on lifting economic sanctions, reconstruction and counter-terrorism.
NATO summit continues in Ankara
Turkey is hosting a NATO summit for the second time, after the 2004 Istanbul Summit. The summit, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, is significant due to the challenges facing the alliance and global security.
Sharaa arrived in Ankara early on Wednesday to attend the second day sessions of the summit.
