Russia confirms it had conducted "frank" discussions with Syria’s new administration
Date
1/30/2025 3:16:36 AM
(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Russia confirmed it had conducted "frank" discussions with Syria’s new administration, led by Ahmed al-Shara, as part of efforts to secure its military presence in the country. However, Moscow declined to comment on Syria's demands in return for its cooperation. A Syrian source revealed to Reuters that al-Shara had requested Russia to extradite former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country after being ousted by opposition forces in December. Additionally, Syria's state news agency, SANA, reported that Damascus sought to rebuild trust with the Syrian people through concrete measures, including compensation, reconstruction, and recovery.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from answering questions about Syria’s request for Assad’s extradition and compensation. Russia is keen to retain control over its naval base in Tartus and its Hmeimim airbase near Latakia, as losing these assets would significantly hinder its strategic power in the region.
Following discussions on Tuesday with a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the Syrian administration stressed the importance of addressing past mistakes, respecting the will of the Syrian people, and prioritizing their interests in the restoration of relations. However, the Syrian source revealed that Russia was unwilling to acknowledge any past mistakes, with the talks ending only with an agreement to continue future discussions. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that "frank discussions took place on all issues," but did not specify details regarding the two military bases.
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