DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron is set to make a historic visit to Syria, as reported by Syrian state media on Sunday. This visit marks him as the first Western leader to step foot in the country following the removal of former President Bashar Assad in 2024.

In a significant move, Macron previously hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist leader who took control of Damascus, in Paris in May 2025. During this meeting, Macron committed to advocating for the European Union and the United States to lift severe sanctions that have burdened Syria, many of which have since been repealed.

Although the French presidential palace has not provided any comments regarding Macron's upcoming trip to Syria, details from Syria's state-run SANA news agency, based on information from al-Sharaa's office, have indicated that the exact date of the visit has yet to be disclosed. However, it is known that Macron will be attending a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Accompanying Macron will be a delegation of investors and representatives from French companies, as noted by SANA. This visit is expected to focus on rebuilding efforts in Syria, a country devastated by a 14-year conflict that has claimed nearly half a million lives and displaced millions of people.

The ongoing conflict has left Syria’s infrastructure in ruins, and despite investment pledges from various nations and businesses, the country requires hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and alleviate poverty for millions of its citizens. The situation in Syria remains dire, and Macron's visit highlights the need for both humanitarian assistance and economic recovery.

The potential outcomes of Macron’s visit may play a crucial role in shaping international relations and aid strategies regarding Syria’s reconstruction and the ongoing political landscape in the region. As pressures increase to support the war-torn nation, the hope is that Macron's diplomatic efforts can pave the way for more significant investments and the lifting of sanctions that have hindered ongoing recovery efforts.

The upcoming visit symbolizes a shift in Western engagement with Syria, and Macron's involvement could indicate a broader re-evaluation of approaches towards the Syrian crisis among Western leaders.