U.S. President Donald Trump said he will make a “major announcement” on Syria on Thursday, though he did not disclose details.
Responding to a reporter’s question at the White House, Trump explained: “I lifted the sanctions to give them some breathing space because those sanctions were very tough, but I believe we will have a major announcement today.”
The comments come ahead of Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where the two leaders are expected to discuss sanctions on Türkiye’s defence industry. The measures were imposed after Ankara purchased Russian S-400 missile systems in 2019, which Washington considered incompatible with NATO equipment.
Trump hinted that sanctions could soon be lifted if the talks prove successful. He praised Türkiye’s increased defence spending within NATO, saying: “They’re paying now 5% of GDP. Nobody thought that was possible … The relationship is very good. The NATO countries, I mean, with us, is the strongest it’s ever been.”
Erdoğan, who hopes for a reset in ties with Washington, is banking on his personal rapport with Trump and the U.S. president’s softer approach toward Moscow. This marks a sharp departure from former president Joe Biden’s policy of keeping Ankara at a distance over its ties to Russia. Both sides also share new common ground in Syria, where they now support the central government after years of disagreements.
Still, unresolved disputes remain. Ankara has condemned Israeli strikes in Gaza as “genocide,” a position opposed by Washington, raising uncertainty about how far cooperation can extend. Meanwhile, critics in both countries warn that Trump and Erdoğan’s increasingly personalised and transactional style of diplomacy risks overshadowing long-term strategic concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Wednesday with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with both leaders describing the convers...
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President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced on Wednesday the launch of phase two of the Gaza plan, which includes the establish...
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al ...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has formally asked Russia to take a decision on restoring strategic railway sections linking Armenia to the bo...
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Wednesday with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with both leaders describing the conversation as positive and productive.
Russia expelled a British diplomat it accused of being an undeclared intelligence operative, a claim dismissed by London as “malicious and baseless”, with the UK saying it was weighing its response on Thursday.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced on Wednesday the launch of phase two of the Gaza plan, which includes the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration in the enclave.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has formally asked Russia to take a decision on restoring strategic railway sections linking Armenia to the borders of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave and Türkiye, as part of broader efforts to reopen transport corridors in the South Caucasus.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Romania has reiterated its openness to discussions on a potential unification with neighbouring Republic of Moldova, following recent remarks by Moldova’s president.
Israel and Arab States have urged the U.S. to delay any potential military action against Iran, warning that such a move could undermine ongoing protests inside the country, according to NBC News.
Poland will not send troops to Greenland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday, warning that any military action by one NATO member against the territory of another would fundamentally undermine the alliance and global security.
Russia expelled a British diplomat it accused of being an undeclared intelligence operative, a claim dismissed by London as “malicious and baseless”, with the UK saying it was weighing its response on Thursday.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Wednesday with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with both leaders describing the conversation as positive and productive.
Canada and China have signalled a reset in bilateral relations during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing, with both sides highlighting progress toward closer cooperation after years of strained ties.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
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