MFA: Russia's military presence in Syria still under negotiation

Work on the issue of Russian military presence in Syria is ongoing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.

Zakharova made a statement in response to a query about the progress of negotiations with the new Syrian authorities concerning Russian military bases, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“Our contacts with the Syrian side are aimed at concretizing the opportunities that exist in the sphere of bilateral cooperation at the current stage. The issue related to the Russian military presence in Syria is also being discussed. At this stage, I think it is necessary to refrain from public detailed comments because this work is underway,” Zakharova explained.

She also emphasized that Moscow is committed to actively developing bilateral Russian-Syrian relations across various sectors, adding, "We are determined for consistent active development of our ties."

The situation in Syria changed dramatically after President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting on December 8 due to a rebel offensive. Assad and his family fled to Moscow as rebels took control of Damascus, and the Russian government granted them asylum. This political shift forced the Kremlin to quickly adapt in order to maintain its military foothold in the region, which includes its only naval base in the Mediterranean.

Russia currently operates an air base in Hmeimim and a naval base in Tartous, both strategically located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov visited Damascus in late January—the first visit by a Russian official since Assad's removal. During his visit, he met with Syrian officials, including Sharaa and Shaibani, to discuss “substantive” bilateral relations, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Sharaa, one of the new Syrian authorities, expressed his desire to maintain strong ties with Russia, despite Moscow’s direct military support for Assad. “All of Syria’s arms are of Russian origin, and many power plants are managed by Russian experts,” Sharaa told Arab media in late December. He added, "We do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish."

Russia’s involvement in Syria began in 2015, providing military support for Assad’s forces during the civil war and especially as rebels advanced towards Damascus. However, Syria’s new authorities have expressed interest in limiting Russia’s influence. For instance, Russia’s lease of the Tartous port was recently terminated.

By Tamilla Hasanova