Syria pitches Ukraine-like minerals deal to US: Times

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has presented the US with a minerals deal similar to the one Washington had with Ukraine in exchange for lifting its decade-long sanctions, the Times has reported.

According to the British newspaper, US President Donald Trump—who is visiting the Middle East this week to discuss economic partnerships—is “considering” the proposal. In addition to granting the US access to its natural resources, Syria is also offering to build a Trump Tower in Damascus, Times said.

The overtures to Washington are part of President Sharaa’s pledge to end Syria’s international sanctions, which have cut the country out of the global financial system and crippled its economy after 14 years of war.

Sharaa, who took power in January after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, remains designated as a terrorist by the US government, but has publicly signalled his interest in strengthening ties to the West.

So far, the Syrian leader has expressed openness to joining the Abraham Accords and allowing an Israeli security presence in parts of southern Syria, moves that could align his government more closely with US regional allies.

‘Fresh start’

According to Times, Syria’s proposal has stirred debate within Trump’s advisory circle. Figures such as Tulsi Gabbard and Sebastian Gorka are reportedly cautious, while others—including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff—are more supportive of engagement.

Trump himself has openly suggested that Syria deserves a “fresh start” from the Assad era, and is considering easing sanctions if key conditions are met. These include removing Iranian and foreign fighters from senior military roles and cooperating on counter terrorism.

Sharaa’s pitch to Trump appear aimed at reorienting Syria away from Iran and China in favor of Western investment. Syrian officials have reportedly discussed infrastructure partnerships with US companies including AT&T and Boeing, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Push for meeting

While sources cited by Reuters said a direct head-to-head meeting with Sharaa during Trump’s Middle East trip remains unlikely, a high-level Syria-US meeting will take place in the region.

Pro-Trump activist Jonathan Bass, who recently met with Sharaa in Damascus, along with Syrian activists and Gulf Arab states, has been trying to arrange a landmark meeting between the nations’ leaders, according to Reuters.

“Sharaa wants a business deal for the future of his country,” Bass said, adding that this could cover energy exploitation, cooperation against Iran and engagement with Israel.

According to the USGS, Syria has a wealth of natural resources including iron ore, crude oil, phosphate rock, manganese ore, asphalt, marble, rock salt and gypsum.

“There is definitely a push underway,” said Charles Lister, head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.

“The idea is that getting to Trump directly is the best avenue because there are just too many ideologues within the administration to get past.”

The White House has not confirmed whether the meeting with Sharaa will go ahead.

Trump’s Middle East trip will also include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and possibly Turkey, where regional talks involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy are expected.