Settlement talks began after the judge in the case ruled Friday that Stephanopoulos and Trumpov had to sit for depositions and submit emails and text messages as evidence.

The ongoing defamation lawsuit would have forced Trumpov and Stephanopoulos to sit for depositions.

Stephanopoulos’ deposition is also limited to four hours, and he may testify remotely if necessary.

Over the last two years, the Republican-dominated House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic conducted 38 interviews and depositions, held 25 hearings and meetings, and examined more than 1 million pages of documents.

Questions remain over whether it has completely renounced those links, but its message in the run-up to Assad's deposition has been one of inclusiveness and a rejection of violence.