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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement changes, de...
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday (13 February) that Israel remains committed to the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the di...
“The United States and Europe, we belong together,” Marco Rubio declared on the second day of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (14 Febru...
“For me, peace with Armenia is done,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev told France 24 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, refl...
Thousands of local residents and international visitors have gathered in northern Thailand for the 49th annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival, one of the ...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement changes, deepening a political standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday (13 February) that Israel remains committed to the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas, calling for intensified operations to destroy tunnel networks and control access along the ceasefire line.
“The United States and Europe, we belong together,” Marco Rubio declared on the second day of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (14 February), setting the tone for discussions on Ukraine, transatlantic security and global cooperation.
“For me, peace with Armenia is done,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev told France 24 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, reflecting on six months of calm on the border and progress in trade and regional cooperation.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, on Friday (13 February), amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
American figure skating star Ilia Malinin endured a dramatic collapse in the men’s free skate on Friday night, falling twice and tumbling out of medal contention at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov surged to a surprise gold medal.
“Respected and feared globally,” U.S. President Donald Trump told troops at Fort Bragg on Friday, framing America’s renewed strength as a backdrop to mounting pressure on Iran amid stalled nuclear talks.
Dubai-based global ports operator DP World said on Friday that its long-serving chairman and chief executive, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, has stepped down following mounting pressure linked to alleged ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Belgian police say it's searched multiple European Commission offices in Brussels on Thursday as part of an investigation into the 2024 sale of European Commission owned buildings to the Belgian state.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement changes, deepening a political standoff between the White House and Senate Democrats.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said on Friday (13 February) that Israel remains committed to the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas, calling for intensified operations to destroy tunnel networks and control access along the ceasefire line.
“The United States and Europe, we belong together,” Marco Rubio declared on the second day of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (14 February), setting the tone for discussions on Ukraine, transatlantic security and global cooperation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 14th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
New Zealand declared a state of emergency in Otorohanga on Saturday (14 February) after torrential rain caused severe flooding, power outages and evacuations.
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