EU Pledges €2.5 Billion in Aid to Syria; Sanctions to be Eased

The European Union will provide approximately €2.5 billion in aid to Syria, announced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a donor conference in Brussels. The funds are intended to support Syrians both within the country and in the region through 2025 and 2026. Germany has pledged an additional €300 million, earmarked for humanitarian aid, civil society support, and education, benefiting Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey. Despite recent violence, the EU plans to ease sanctions on Syria to foster stability. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized the importance of providing hope to the population by improving access to banking services, salaries, and investments. The EU is closely monitoring the political developments in Syria, particularly the government's response to recent events in the northwest and accountability for those responsible.