 "‘Want Russia by our side’: Syrian foreign minister on first Moscow visit; trouble for Assad?")
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has expressed his country’s desire for Russia to remain “by our side,” during the first official visit to Moscow by a representative of Syria’s new government since the Russian-backed administration was ousted last year.
“The current period is full of various challenges and threats, but it is also an opportunity to build a united and strong Syria. And, of course, we are interested in having Russia by our side on this path,” Aljazeera quoted al-Shaibani as telling his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday during his visit to Moscow.
“But, of course, there are a number of factors that determine and complicate these relations on the ground,” al-Shaibani said, adding that the relations should be based on “mutual respect”.
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, long a key Russian ally, fled to Moscow last year after a swift rebel offensive ended the Assad family’s five-decade rule.
From exile, Assad claimed on Facebook that he had wanted to stay and fight, but said Russia evacuated him.
Despite being on opposing sides during the civil war — Russia backed Assad with airstrikes against the opposition — the new government in Damascus, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has adopted a pragmatic stance toward Moscow.
A Russian delegation visited Damascus in January, followed by a February call between President Vladimir Putin and al-Sharaa, which the Kremlin called “constructive and business-like.”
Some Russian forces have remained at Russia’s bases on the Syrian coast, and Russia has reportedly sent oil shipments to Syria.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAl-Sharaa also praised Russia for its “strong position in rejecting Israeli strikes and repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty,” following deadly clashes earlier this month involving Syrian government forces, Bedouin fighters, and armed Druze groups, which left over 250 people dead.
After Thursday’s talks, Lavrov expressed gratitude to his “Syrian colleagues for the steps they’re taking to ensure the safety of Russian citizens and facilities” in Syria.
“We reaffirmed our support for the preservation of the unity, territorial integrity and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic and are ready to provide the Syrian people with all possible assistance in post-conflict reconstruction. We agreed that we will continue our dialogue on these issues,” Aljazeera quoted Lavrov as saying.
Without directly mentioning al-Assad, al-Shaibani urged Russia to support Syria’s post-Assad “transitional justice” process and announced the formation of a committee to review existing agreements with Moscow.
Russia maintains a naval base in Tartous and an airbase at Khmeimim on Syria’s Mediterranean coast—its only official military installations outside the former Soviet Union. It remains uncertain whether the new Syrian government will allow Russia to retain these bases.
Lavrov, meanwhile, reiterated Moscow’s invitation for President al-Sharaa to attend the first Russia–Arab League summit on October 15.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
