Attempts by the administration of former US President Donald Trump to act as a broker between the Syrian government and the Kurdish minority have again raised questions about the nature of Damascus’s relationship with Moscow. Central topics of debate included the possibility of restoring US sanctions against Syria and the prospects for weakening its ties with Russia. Damascus, for its part, seeks to preserve a diplomatic balance by maintaining economic and military cooperation with Moscow while keeping the door open for dialogue with Washington.
In response to the strengthening of Russian–Syrian ties, legislative steps were initiated in the US Congress. Republican Joe Wilson held hearings on the issue of removing Russian military bases from Syria, saying this would “secure the region and prevent Russia from sowing chaos in Africa and the Mediterranean.” However, experts such as Steven Heydeman expressed skepticism about the practical feasibility of this idea, noting that Congress does not have direct authority to forcibly remove foreign troops from a sovereign state’s territory.
Notably, the hearings were not held in the relevant Middle East subcommittee but within the so‑called Helsinki Commission, which deals with security issues in Europe. This gave the discussion an unexpected European context. The focus turned to the legacy of Russian support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime and hypothetical scenarios for reducing Moscow’s influence. Three experts with differing views were invited to participate — ranging from harsh criticism of Russian policy to more balanced assessments.
Experts explain the strength of ties between Damascus and Moscow by mutual economic and military dependence. Syria relies on Russia for printing its national currency, and for supplies of weapons, oil, and wheat. Some congressmembers fear that maintaining and deepening this partnership will seriously weaken US positions in Syria and become a “slap in the face to Washington.” There are also concerns that increased Russian influence could push Damascus into an even closer alliance with Iran.
The Trump administration is under pressure from pro‑Israeli lobbyists and several think tanks demanding a tougher stance toward Syria because of its ties with Russia. Calls have been made to reinstate sanctions, especially if Damascus receives modern Russian weapons systems, which could trigger measures under the CAATSA law. In response, Syrian leadership has shown pragmatism, publicly reaffirming its commitment to all previously concluded agreements with Moscow, including the retention of Russian bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.
Despite congressional activity, the Trump administration has not yet issued an official demand for the withdrawal of Russian forces as a condition for normalizing relations with Damascus or lifting sanctions. As experts note, such a decision lies within the White House’s purview, and no clear signals have been sent in that direction. On the contrary, the administration has acknowledged the complex diplomatic balancing act that the Syrian president is attempting, navigating between Turkey, Arab states, Europe, Russia, and China.
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What is the Helsinki Commission in the US Congress and why are Syria‑related issues being considered within a commission on European security? - The Helsinki Commission (officially: the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe) is an independent US government agency created to monitor compliance with human rights and the implementation of the Helsinki Accords. Although it focuses on Europe, its mandate includes monitoring human‑rights situations in other countries, including Syria, especially when violations are linked to actions by European states or international agreements. Syrian issues are often considered in the context of migration, refugees, the use of chemical weapons, and impacts on European security.
Which specific provisions of the CAATSA law could be applied to Syria and have such sanctions already been used against Damascus before? - The CAATSA law (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) provides for sanctions against countries that cooperate with Russia, Iran, or North Korea in the defense sector. Provisions related to sanctions for acquiring Russian weaponry or cooperating with Iranian forces could be applied to Syria. Similar sanctions have already been used against Damascus before — the US has imposed multifaceted sanctions on the Syrian government since 2011, including export bans, financial restrictions, and asset freezes.
Why does Syria rely on Russia to print its national currency and how does this affect the country’s economic sovereignty and financial policy? - Syria relies on Russia to print its currency (the Syrian pound) because international sanctions limit access to materials and equipment needed to print banknotes, and because domestic infrastructure has been damaged. This affects economic sovereignty by limiting control over money supply and issuance, making monetary policy dependent on external decisions. Such dependence can lead to inflation, difficulties managing the exchange rate, and vulnerability to Russia’s political choices.
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