Moscow, Jan 29 (EFE).- Russia Wednesday expressed its commitment to maintaining a “permanent dialogue” with Syria’s new leadership, following the first visit by a Russian delegation since the ousting and flight of President Bashar al-Assad.
“This is an important visit involving significant s, as it is necessary to establish and sustain a permanent dialogue with the Syrian authorities, something we are doing and will continue to do,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters during his daily press briefing.
On Tuesday, after a meeting between Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Damascus issued a statement emphasizing that “the restoration of relations must address past mistakes, respect the will of the Syrian people, and serve their interests.”
Peskov declined to comment when a reporter asked whether the talks included discussions on “compensation” for Syria or the possible extradition of Assad, who is currently exiled in Moscow. “I have no comment on that. We will continue our dialogue with the Syrian authorities,” he said.
According to Damascus, the discussions focused on “key issues, including respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The Syrian leadership reaffirmed its commitment to “working with all stakeholders under principles aimed at building a future based on justice, dignity, and sovereignty.”
For its part, the Russian delegation underscored its “ for the positive changes taking place in Syria,” highlighting Moscow’s role in rebuilding trust with the Syrian people through measures such as compensation, reconstruction, and recovery, according to the statement.
Russia has previously stated that its embassy in Damascus remains open and that it maintains “daily” with Syria’s new leadership.
However, Moscow has remained silent on the future of its military bases in the country, which are critical to its foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa.
At the end of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed suggestions that Assad’s fall constituted a strategic setback for Russia in Syria.
In December, Russia’s State Duma ed a law allowing for the removal of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by al-Sharaa, from its list of terrorist organizations. EFE
mos-sk
