Expert Comments on Situation Surrounding Syria and Russia

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met in Damascus with Syria's leader Ahmad al-Shara also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. 

While Russia's Foreign Ministry briefly noted they agreed to continue bilateral contacts, Syrian state agency SANA reported that the new administration told Moscow that rebuilding relations would require addressing past mistakes and compensating the Syrian people.

Ruslan Suleymanov, a Middle East expert, broke down the situation.

The expert notes the talks were unsuccessful, with Russia still pushing to secure its military presence in Syria.

At the same time, reports have surfaced that Damascus is demanding Russia extradite former president Bashar al-Assad and return about $2 billion in assets he reportedly took from Syria.

Suleymanov also highlights the following:

• Damascus's interests: The new Syrian leadership wants to maintain balance among foreign powers (Türkiye, Gulf states, Russia); Assad is likely a point of pressure, and Syria needs investments to rebuild
• Moscow's goals: Establish trust with the new administration and maintain its military presence in Syria, which provides access to the Mediterranean Sea
• Challenges: The financial strain complicates Russia's ability to help rebuild Syria's infrastructure and carries the burden of being associated with Assad's mass killings and repression
• Putin's motto of "not abandoning his own" also complicates handing over Assad

Moscow's insistence on designating al-Shara's group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a terrorist organization is another factor, coupled with Trump's alleged announcement of withdrawing troops from Syria.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, meanwhile, has been dissolved along with other military factions, and Jolani was named Syria's president for the upcoming transitional period.