EU to discuss closure of Russian bases in Syria with rebel leadership, say top diplomat

The European Union (EU) is set to address the issue of Russia’s military presence in Syria with the country’s new leadership, according to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat.

Speaking to journalists after a gathering of the bloc’s foreign ministers, Kallas revealed that EU officials would raise the possibility of closing Russian bases in Syria, including the Tartus and Khmeimim facilities, which are used by Russia for operations in the Middle East and towards Africa, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“Many foreign ministers took this up to say that it should be a condition for the new leadership that they also get rid of the Russian influence there,” Kallas explained. “It is a base where they also conduct their activities toward Africa and southern neighbours,” she added, underscoring the strategic importance of these bases to Russia’s broader geopolitical ambitions.

The EU has been seeking to bolster ties with the Syrian opposition, particularly rebel groups that ousted the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and has set out several preconditions before granting formal recognition or establishing diplomatic relations with Syria’s incoming leadership. The bloc previously suspended all diplomatic ties with Assad’s government.

Kallas emphasized that the EU would raise the issue of Russia’s military infrastructure during early engagements with the new Syrian leadership.

“We will raise this issue with the leadership when we have the meetings,” she said.

While Russia has reduced some of its military presence in Syria, it has not fully withdrawn its forces from the region. The Tartus naval base and Khmeimim airbase, which are vital to Russia’s operations in the Middle East, remain under Russian control.

In recent days, Israel has carried out airstrikes on Syrian military assets near these bases. However, no attacks have been reported on Russian ships stationed at Tartus. The EU’s engagement with Syria’s rebel factions also comes in the wake of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's confirmation that Washington is in direct contact with one of the prominent rebel groups, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has been part of the opposition to Assad.

By Khagan Isayev