Syrias new management on Wednesday gotten in touch with Moscow to address past errors throughout talks with checking out Russian authorities the very first such conference because Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted last month.The check out comes as Russia looks for to protect its military existence in Syria, while President Vladimir Putin has rejected that Assads elimination represents a strategic defeat for Moscow in the Middle East.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated he and his delegation met for three hours with Syrias brand-new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
The brand-new administration ...
stressed that bring back relations must address previous mistakes, respect the will of the Syrian individuals and serve their interests, Syrias leadership said in a statement.The talks likewise covered justice for the victims of the brutal war waged by the Assad program, it added.Russias Foreign Ministry described the visit as a crunch point in relations in between Moscow and Damascus, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it an crucial journey.
It is needed to construct and keep an irreversible dialogue with the Syrian authorities, which is what we will continue to do, Peskov told press reporters in Moscow.Peskov declined to talk about reports that Syrias new rulers had actually requested Assads extradition and sought payment from Moscow.
The former president fled to Russia with his family in December following a rapid rebel advance.Bogdanov, who also functions as Putins unique envoy on the Middle East and Africa, was signed up with by Alexander Lavrentyev, the presidents special envoy on Syria, the Russian news firm RIA Novosti reported.It kept in mind that this was the very first visit by Russian authorities to Damascus given that Assads departure.Moscow was one of Assads crucial backers, stepping in militarily in 2015 to support his regime throughout Syrias civil war.Russia is now working to maintain control of its naval base in Tartus and air base in Khmeimim its only military centers outside the former Soviet Union under Syrias brand-new leadership.Sharaa leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group banned in Russia as a terrorist company.
Initially rooted in Al-Qaedas Syrian branch, HTS has actually given that adopted a more moderate stance.RT Arabic reported that Bogdanov framed the go to as an effort to strengthen historic ties based upon shared interests, underscoring Russias stated commitment to Syrias unity and independence.In a December interview with Al-Arabiya, Sharaa highlighted the deep tactical interests in between Russia and Syria.
All Syrias arms are of Russian origin, and numerous power plants are handled by Russian professionals, he said.
We do not desire Russia to leave Syria in the way that some dream.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is pushing for Moscows military expulsion.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga visited Damascus in December, urging Sharaa to remove Russian forces.
We think that from a tactical point of view, the elimination of Russias presence in Syria will contribute to the stability of not just the Syrian state, however the whole Middle East and Africa, Sybiga stated in a statement.The Russian delegations check out to Syria this week comes in the middle of a diplomatic flurry by the countrys new rulers as they seek to build international ties and ease sanctions.On Monday, EU foreign ministers accepted start raising sanctions on Syria, beginning with crucial sectors such as energy.United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday emphasized the requirement to avoid Syria from becoming a hub for global terrorism and to obstruct foreign actors from exploiting its transition.Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan likewise consulted with Sharaa on Friday, marking his very first see given that Assads overthrow.