Dimasheq — Special Report
Political analyst Rami Al-Shaer, who is close to political decision-making circles in Moscow, said that “no one can bet on a rift occurring in Syrian-Russian relations,” stressing that these relations are “historical” and extend across various fields, particularly the economic and military spheres.
In an interview with Dimasheq, Al-Shaer explained that the current phase requires certain adjustments to the nature of relations between Damascus and Moscow, in line with the needs of both countries. He noted that the current Syrian leadership has held multiple talks and consultations with relevant Russian authorities with the aim of reaching new understandings that would allow for the “revitalization of cooperation” between the two sides, particularly in the military field.
He added that the discussions address Syria’s needs to rehabilitate and rebuild the Syrian army, including supplying it with the necessary weapons, equipment and supplies, in addition to the technical support, military cooperation and training required for this process.
Al-Shaer pointed out that the understandings between the two sides also include Russia’s continued use of the Syrian coast and Syrian airspace for logistical purposes, in a manner that meets the needs of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. He considered the strengthening of these understandings part of the process of reorganizing cooperation between the two countries in a way that serves their shared interests.
On the diplomatic front, Al-Shaer noted that the Russian leadership appointed a new ambassador to Syria several days ago, describing him as a diplomat with extensive experience and deep expertise who had previously served in Syria for several years. He considered the appointment a reflection of Moscow’s interest in maintaining a high level of relations with Damascus.
He added that Syria is, in turn, preparing to appoint a new ambassador to Moscow, explaining that the leadership in Damascus is currently considering candidates for the position.
Al-Shaer stressed that recent developments do not indicate a decline in Syrian-Russian relations. Rather, he said, they reflect a phase of reorganizing and restructuring these relations in line with the changes Syria has undergone, while preserving the core of cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and military fields.
Al-Shaer had previously indicated that military communications between Moscow and Damascus have not stopped since the arrival of Syria’s new leadership, and that Russia has expressed its readiness to assist Syria in rebuilding its military capabilities, alongside continued discussions over the future of the Russian presence on the Syrian coast and logistical and military cooperation between the two countries.
