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Syria Tells U.S. It Is Willing to Drastically Drop Russian Oil Imports · GNN Daily Breaking News

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: In a surprising diplomatic overture, Syria has informed the United
• 0:04
  Speaker 1: States that it is prepared to drastically reduce its imports
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  Speaker 1: of Russian oil, signaling a potential shift in Damascus's economic
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  Speaker 1: and geopolitical alignment. Sources familiar with the talks say the
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  Speaker 1: message was conveyed through intermediaries, reflecting Syria's attempt to ease
• 0:22
  Speaker 1: tensions with Washington while navigating the full out of the
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  Speaker 1: ongoing war in the region. For years, Syria has relied
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  Speaker 1: heavily on Russian oil shipments to sustain its energy needs,
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  Speaker 1: particularly as domestic production has been crippled by conflict and sanctions.
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  Speaker 1: Moscow supplies have been a lifeline, reinforcing the strategic partnership
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  Speaker 1: between the two governments, but the new willingness to cut
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  Speaker 1: back imports suggests Damascus may be seeking leverage, offering concessions
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  Speaker 1: to the US in exchange for relief from sanctions or
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  Speaker 1: humanitarian support. Analysts note that the move could carry significant implications.
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  Speaker 1: A reduction in Russian oil imports would weaken Moscow's economic
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  Speaker 1: foothold in Syria, potentially reshaping the balance of influence in
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  Speaker 1: the Middle East. It could also open the door for
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  Speaker 1: alternative suppliers, including regional producers aligned with Washington, thereby shifting
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  Speaker 1: Syria's energy dependence away from Russia. The US response remains cautious.
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  Speaker 1: Officials have long demanded that Syria distance itself from Moscow,
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  Speaker 1: but skepticism runs deep about Damascus's intentions. Critics warned that
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  Speaker 1: the offer may be tactical rather than genuine, designed to
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  Speaker 1: secure short term concessions while maintaining ties with Russia Behind
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  Speaker 1: the scenes. Regionally, the development is being closely watched. Iran,
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  Speaker 1: another key ally of Syria, may view the move as
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  Speaker 1: a betrayal of the broader anti Western bloc. Gulf states, meanwhile,
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  Speaker 1: could see an opportunity to expand their influence by stepping
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  Speaker 1: in as alternative of suppliers. The European Union has expressed
• 2:03
  Speaker 1: guarded optimism, noting that any reduction in Russian energy exports
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  Speaker 1: weakens Moscow's ability to finance its military campaigns. Ultimately, Seria's
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  Speaker 1: willingness to cut Russian oil imports underscores the fluid nature
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  Speaker 1: of alliances in wartime diplomacy. Whether this marks a genuine
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  Speaker 1: pivot or a calculated bargaining chip, the decision could reshape
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  Speaker 1: not only serious energy landscape, but also the broader geopolitical
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  Speaker 1: contest between Washington and Moscow.