Kadyrov Willing to Foster Connections with HTS - Novaya Gazeta

Chechnya's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, ended the conflict surrounding the Wildberries marketplace, Orda reports, citing Novaya Gazeta Evropa.

Citing its unnamed source, Novaya Gazeta writes that he did so in his favor during his latest trip to Moscow.

In exchange, the Chechen strongman is willing to employ his Middle East connections to foster contact between Moscow and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

Kadyrov received Putin's full support in this matter. In addition, he expects satisfaction for the moral damage caused to him by Senator from Dagestan Suleiman Kerimov. Kadyrov would like to get a share in his gold mining business. He received assurances this option would be considered.  Novaya Gazeta's source claimed.

Russia is currently seeking to maintain its military bases after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The Economist, meanwhile, claimed that an HTS source familiar with the talks said the group is "being pragmatic" and would probably allow Russia to keep its bases.

Yet, reports have also surfaced that Russia was transporting military assets from Syria to Libya. Moscow supposedly pressured Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar to secure Russia’s claim to a port in Benghazi.

Moscow and Damascus signed a 49-year lease for the Tartus and Khmeimim bases in 2017. Both are vital logistics hubs for Russia’s activities in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa.

Russia could still prove to be a key supplier of food and arms for the new Syrian government, but its past involvement in the nation's civil war will unlikely be forgotten.

Indeed, an inside source previously told Reuters that the people would have the final say.

It is a matter for future talks, and the Syrian people will have the final say, A senior rebel official close to the new interim administration said.

Kadyrov recently suggested removing HTS from the list of terrorist organizations.

Today, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova said Russia would proceed with "an assessment of the specific cases and events,' regarding such a removal.

Russia maintains contact with everyone who is active and who voices their approaches. We will proceed from an assessment of specific events, specific cases, naturally, based on our legislation, international law,  Maria Zakharova said.