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Syria Agrees to Drop Russian Crude to End Decades of US Sanctions
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Syria has committed to significantly reducing its Russian crude imports as part of negotiations with Washington to remove Damascus from the US state sponsors of terrorism list, where it has been designated since 1979.
This year, Moscow had increased its oil deliveries to Syria by 75%, reaching approximately 60,000 barrels per day to maintain its influence following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, as reported by Reuters on August 4.
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On July 8, US President Donald Trump notified Congress of his intention to remove Syria from the terrorism list, initiating a 45-day period during which the administration must justify the decision.
During recent months of talks, American officials did not frame stopping Russian oil purchases as an explicit prerequisite for lifting sanctions.
However, US representatives communicated that halting these deliveries would "raise the chances of removing the state sponsor of terrorism status quickly and without complications." Authorities in Damascus responded that they were prepared to end reliance on Russian energy in order to diversify their supply sources.
While most Western sanctions were eased after the change of power in Syria, few countries other than Russia have been willing to sell oil to Damascus due to the remaining terrorism designation.
Syrian officials previously explained to American representatives that reliance on Russian crude was driven purely by necessity and the lack of market options.
Damascus has already begun seeking alternative energy partners. A representative of the Syrian energy sector stated that the country is expecting "radical changes" in its supply chain.
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In June, Syrian officials signed an agreement with ConocoPhillips and Novaterra to resume gas extraction, and in July, French energy company TotalEnergies held talks regarding offshore exploration contracts.
Parallel to the sanctions discussions, Washington is taking steps to curb Russian military presence in the region. Congress has directed the Pentagon to evaluate strategies to diminish Moscow's influence and facilitate the withdrawal of Russian forces from the naval facility in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase.
Previously, Russia became Syria’s primary oil supplier despite Damascus’ political shift toward the West. Russian crude shipments increased by approximately 75% that year, reaching around 60,000 barrels per day.
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