EU leaders visit Syria and pledge support for recovery.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa visited Syria and met interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying the EU will support recovery and reconstruction. Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in recent clashes in Aleppo, and the EU delegation planned to continue to Lebanon.

EU officials visited Syria and held talks with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The delegation was led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The visit comes after nearly 14 years of civil war that ended in December 2024 and a change in Syria’s leadership. Both EU leaders publicly pledged support for Syria’s recovery and reconstruction. What is known: - Von der Leyen and Costa met with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa during a regional tour. - Both leaders said the EU will support Syria’s recovery and reconstruction. - Syria’s Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in clashes in Aleppo; there was no public response from the Syrian Democratic Forces. - The EU delegation was set to continue its tour with a visit to Lebanon. Summary: The visit represents a reopening of formal engagement between senior EU officials and Syria’s interim government, accompanied by public pledges of support for recovery. A ceasefire in Aleppo was reported and the delegation planned to proceed to Lebanon.