BEIJING, December 20. /TASS/. Russia is likely to get along well with Syria's new government, Wu Yihong, Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute in China, said in an interview with TASS.
"Chances are good that Russia and the new Syrian government will maintain good relations," the expert on the Middle East stated. "Both sides have intersecting strategic interests and are likely to reach an agreement."
According to Wu Yihong, Russia will seek to retain its two military facilities in Syria. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Russian Navy's maintenance and logistics facility in Tartus for its Mediterranean operations, and the Hmeimim airbase's significance for Moscow's influence in the Middle East and Africa.
"The new Syrian government also needs Russia's support, particularly in counter-terrorism and national security efforts," Wu Yihong added. He suggested that media reports saying that Russo-Syrian talks are proceeding positively indicate that both sides are willing to find common ground.
"Russia's negotiations with the new Syrian government are influenced by the international landscape, particularly relations with countries like the US, Turkey, and Israel," the expert noted. "These countries may have some influence on the outcome of negotiations, but Russia and the new Syrian government will likely seek a middle ground that meets their interests."
On December 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during his combined Direct Line question-and answer session and press conference that Moscow hopes for peace and stability in Syria and maintains relations with all parties within Syria and the region. He added that the continued presence of Russian bases in Syria depends on whether interests align with the new government. Putin also announced Russia's proposal to utilize the Hmeimim and Tartus bases for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria.
Syria’s power shift
On November 27, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against the Syrian army's positions in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib. By the evening of December 7, they had captured several major cities: Aleppo, Hama, Deraa, and Homs. They entered Damascus on December 8, after which Syrian army units withdrew from the city. Bashar Assad resigned as president of Syria and fled the country. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who had led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Idlib Province since January 2024, pronounced himself head of Syria’s interim government, which will last until March 1, 2025.