The interim government demands that Russia return the funds deposited by "Assad" in Moscow.
March 2, 2025178 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
Font Size
16
Reuters quoted diplomatic sources as saying that "Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar'a asked Russia for money deposited by former regime President Bashar Al-Assad in Moscow".
The sources confirmed that "the recent Russian delegation visiting Damascus informed Al-Shar'a that Assad did not deposit any money in Russia".
According to the sources, discussions between the new Syrian administration and the Russian delegation also addressed Syrian debts to Russia, which amount to around 23 billion dollars, and Damascus demanded their cancellation.
Regarding the possibility of Moscow handing over Bashar Al-Assad to Damascus, Reuters quoted a Russian source as saying, "Russia will not agree to hand over Assad, confirming that it was not asked to do so in the first place".
The sources mentioned that Moscow expressed readiness to provide humanitarian aid to Syria in exchange for progress in negotiations regarding Russian military bases in Syria.
During the Russian delegation's visit to Damascus, Syrian officials raised the possibility of Assad's return to Syria.
In a related context, Syrians and Russians are discussing the fate of the Tartus and Hmeimim military bases, which are a key element of Russia's military influence in the Middle East and Africa.
According to Reuters, Al-Shar'a wants to renegotiate the 49-year lease of the Tartus base that was signed during Assad's era, and to have an indefinite lease for Hmeimim for a better agreement, but he does not seem to want to completely exclude Moscow.
Instead, the two bases may remain in exchange for diplomatic support and financial compensation from Russia, which played a significant role in Syria's economy and defense sectors for seven decades before intervening in the civil war in 2015 to support Assad.
In December, Assad fell and fled to Russia from the Hmeimim base.
As for the new Syrian leadership, which was once the target of intense Russian airstrikes, it is now negotiating with Moscow.
In a statement issued after the meeting between Bogdanov and Al-Shar'a, the Syrian government stated that "Al-Shar'a emphasized that the new relations require addressing past mistakes and demanded compensation for the destruction caused by Russia".
It was written on Telegram, "The new Syrian authorities do not see Russia as an enemy state.
But Russia must do something for the Syrian government in exchange for the two bases".
Damascus seeks compensation for the destruction caused by the war.
A source familiar with Russia's perspective on this matter said that it is unlikely that Moscow will accept responsibility, but it may instead offer humanitarian aid.
Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to use the two bases as centers for delivering humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and Moscow's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Russia's alliance with Syria "is not tied to any regime".
The sources confirmed that "the recent Russian delegation visiting Damascus informed Al-Shar'a that Assad did not deposit any money in Russia".
According to the sources, discussions between the new Syrian administration and the Russian delegation also addressed Syrian debts to Russia, which amount to around 23 billion dollars, and Damascus demanded their cancellation.
Regarding the possibility of Moscow handing over Bashar Al-Assad to Damascus, Reuters quoted a Russian source as saying, "Russia will not agree to hand over Assad, confirming that it was not asked to do so in the first place".
The sources mentioned that Moscow expressed readiness to provide humanitarian aid to Syria in exchange for progress in negotiations regarding Russian military bases in Syria.
During the Russian delegation's visit to Damascus, Syrian officials raised the possibility of Assad's return to Syria.
In a related context, Syrians and Russians are discussing the fate of the Tartus and Hmeimim military bases, which are a key element of Russia's military influence in the Middle East and Africa.
According to Reuters, Al-Shar'a wants to renegotiate the 49-year lease of the Tartus base that was signed during Assad's era, and to have an indefinite lease for Hmeimim for a better agreement, but he does not seem to want to completely exclude Moscow.
Instead, the two bases may remain in exchange for diplomatic support and financial compensation from Russia, which played a significant role in Syria's economy and defense sectors for seven decades before intervening in the civil war in 2015 to support Assad.
In December, Assad fell and fled to Russia from the Hmeimim base.
As for the new Syrian leadership, which was once the target of intense Russian airstrikes, it is now negotiating with Moscow.
In a statement issued after the meeting between Bogdanov and Al-Shar'a, the Syrian government stated that "Al-Shar'a emphasized that the new relations require addressing past mistakes and demanded compensation for the destruction caused by Russia".
It was written on Telegram, "The new Syrian authorities do not see Russia as an enemy state.
But Russia must do something for the Syrian government in exchange for the two bases".
Damascus seeks compensation for the destruction caused by the war.
A source familiar with Russia's perspective on this matter said that it is unlikely that Moscow will accept responsibility, but it may instead offer humanitarian aid.
Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to use the two bases as centers for delivering humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and Moscow's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Russia's alliance with Syria "is not tied to any regime".
