Russia to Continue Dialogue With New Syrian Government

Why it Matters:

Following Bashar al-Assad's downfall, Russia lost its prominent position in Syria, one of its key allies.

The Big Picture:

A Russian delegation headed by Maskhai Bogdanov, the presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, held talks with the head of the new Syrian government in Damascus on Tuesday.

Moscow appears focused on preserving its military bases by engaging with the new leadership. By retaining its bases in Syria, Russia can sustain its influence in the Syrian political landscape and prevent rivals like Turkey and the United States from disrupting the balance of power.

Key Points:

• Establishing and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Syria.
• Moscow and Damascus discussed retaining Russian military bases in Syria.
•  Moscow continues to support Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. 
• Syria's issues should be resolved through an inclusive dialogue involving all political forces and ethnic and religious groups.

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