Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, marking another step in the improving relationship between Washington and Syria's post-Assad government.

Sharaa attended the summit at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ahead of the meeting, Trump praised Syria's new leader, saying he had "pulled the whole country together" and credited Erdoğan for helping strengthen ties between the two countries.

The leaders were expected to discuss Syria's reconstruction, sanctions relief, regional security, and expanding economic cooperation. The meeting comes as Syria seeks international support to rebuild after years of conflict while continuing to face security challenges.