Putin Refused to Extradite Bashar al-Assad to Syria
World
Russia has rejected a request from the new government in Damascus to extradite Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia. This was reported in an interview with The New York Times by Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The request to hand over former president Assad, who had taken refuge in Russia, was submitted to the Russian government in January, according to al-Sharaa’s interview published on April 23.
Despite the refusal, Syria’s new government does not plan to cut ties with Russia. According to NYT, Syrian officials appear open to negotiations with the Kremlin.
Al-Sharaa stated: “Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Syria’s weapons are entirely Russian-made. In addition, Syria has relied for years on agreements with Russia for the supply of food and energy.”
He emphasized that his government “takes these Syrian interests into account.”
NYT recalls that during the devastating civil war, Moscow sent planes, ships, troops, and military advisers to Syria in support of Assad’s regime.
“So far, we have not received any offers from other countries to replace Syria’s weaponry,” said al-Sharaa, implying that the country might again need Russia’s support.
According to the SANA news agency on January 29, Syria’s new authorities told a Russian delegation in Damascus that they hoped Russia would help restore trust with the Syrian people through concrete steps, such as compensation, reconstruction, and rebuilding.
The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev. This was the first official visit of Russian officials after Assad’s ouster.
Syria’s defense minister Murkhaf Abu Kasra said in an interview with The Washington Post on February 6 that Damascus is ready to allow Russia to keep its military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim on the Mediterranean coast if an agreement serving Syria’s interests is reached. He noted that Russia’s attitude toward the new government had “significantly improved” since Assad’s departure.
Despite the refusal, Syria’s new government does not plan to cut ties with Russia. According to NYT, Syrian officials appear open to negotiations with the Kremlin.
Al-Sharaa stated: “Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Syria’s weapons are entirely Russian-made. In addition, Syria has relied for years on agreements with Russia for the supply of food and energy.”
He emphasized that his government “takes these Syrian interests into account.”
NYT recalls that during the devastating civil war, Moscow sent planes, ships, troops, and military advisers to Syria in support of Assad’s regime.
“So far, we have not received any offers from other countries to replace Syria’s weaponry,” said al-Sharaa, implying that the country might again need Russia’s support.
According to the SANA news agency on January 29, Syria’s new authorities told a Russian delegation in Damascus that they hoped Russia would help restore trust with the Syrian people through concrete steps, such as compensation, reconstruction, and rebuilding.
The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev. This was the first official visit of Russian officials after Assad’s ouster.
Syria’s defense minister Murkhaf Abu Kasra said in an interview with The Washington Post on February 6 that Damascus is ready to allow Russia to keep its military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim on the Mediterranean coast if an agreement serving Syria’s interests is reached. He noted that Russia’s attitude toward the new government had “significantly improved” since Assad’s departure.
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