Syrian Defense Minister Murhef Abu Qasra said that the country's new government is ready to retain Russian military bases if these bases meet Syria's interests. He noted that Russia's attitude towards the new government has improved significantly since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. "There are no permanent enemies in politics," the minister said.
The Russian government is negotiating with the new Syrian leadership to retain the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim air base near Latakia. The agreement will allow Russia to use these bases until 2066.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, it is too early to discuss the issue of retaining Russia's military bases in Syria. He stressed that this issue should be discussed with the new government.
The new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Shar'a, has said he intends to continue close strategic relations with Russia. According to him, all of Syria's weapons come from Russia and many of its power plants are operated by Russian specialists. "We do not want Russia to leave Syria too soon," al-Shar'a said.
At the same time, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhkna said that Tallinn would not finance aid programs to Damascus if the new Syrian government retained Russian military bases.
Assessing the situation in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow had achieved its goals there and had not allowed the creation of a terrorist enclave. According to him, Russia is currently in contact with all the groups that have seized power in Syria, and most of them want Russia to stay there.
Russia is currently partially withdrawing its troops from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains, but is maintaining them at the Khmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”
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