The Kremlin said on Monday it was too early to say what the future of Russia’s military bases in Syria would be, adding that it would be a subject for discussion with the new rulers in Damascus.
Russia is raising questions about two strategically important Russian military facilities in Bashar al-Assad’s Syria following the rapid advance of the militia coalition led by former al-Qaeda ally Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Ran away.
Asked about the future of the bases, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “It’s too early to talk about it.”
“All this is a matter for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria,” Peskov said. He said there was “extreme instability” in the country.
“Of course, now everything is being done that is necessary and everything possible to contact those who can deal with the security,” Peskov said. And, of course, our military is also doing everything possible. Necessary precautions are being taken.”
Russia’s Hmeimim air base in Syria’s Latakia province, a naval facility in Tartus on the coast.
The Tartus facility is Russia’s only Mediterranean repair and replenishment center, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.
Peskov confirmed that Assad was granted asylum in Russia, saying that the decision was made by President Vladimir Putin. Asked about a possible meeting between Putin and Assad, Peskov said none were currently on the official Kremlin agenda.
More broadly, Peskov said, the Kremlin saw a turbulent international situation with a high potential for conflict.
“We look at the situation around Ukraine, we see many contradictory statements in this regard, we see the possibility of increasing conflict in other regions, we can say the burning Middle East,” Peskov said.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the “madness”.
The Kremlin said on Sunday that Russia is ready for talks, but that talks should be based on the agreements reached in Istanbul in 2022 and the current realities on the battlefield, where Russian forces are advancing at their fastest pace since the early days . War in 2022.
Putin has said that Ukraine should not join the NATO military alliance and that in order for a peace deal to be reached, Russia must completely relinquish control over four Ukrainian regions currently partially controlled by its troops.
Asked if there had been any contacts with Trump or his team, Peskov said: “No, still no contacts.”
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