Syria's transitional government vows people’s consent before changing Russian ties

The future of Syria's relations with Russia, including the status of Russian military bases, will be decided by the Syrian people, said Asaad Al-Shaibani, the country’s Foreign Minister in the transitional government.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Al-Shaibani emphasized that any revisions in Syria's relationship with Russia would only proceed with the support of the Syrian citizens, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“If we get the green light from our people, we will take action,” Al-Shaibani said, responding to questions regarding the potential future of Russian military presence in Syria and the broader bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

His comments come after significant political changes in Syria, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. At that time, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (recognized as a terrorist organization by Russia), assumed the role of interim president. This shift led to the dissolution of Syria's parliament, army, and special services, and the abolition of the country’s constitution.

Al-Shaibani’s remarks highlight that any decision to revise Syria’s ties with Russia will be guided by a mandate from the Syrian people, underscoring the importance of public support in shaping the future of the nation’s foreign relations.

By Vafa Guliyeva