Russia Sent a Plane Carrying Cash to Syria
World
A batch of Syrian pounds worth hundreds of billions, issued during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad, has arrived at Damascus International Airport from Russia, Reuters reports.
The funds are equivalent to tens of millions of US dollars. According to a source cited by the agency, Russia was unable to transfer these funds to Syria in early December 2024, when rebels overthrew Assad.
It is noted that Syria’s new government demanded that Russia halt the printing of Syrian currency after Assad fled to Moscow. The Reuters source did not clarify what prompted Russia to deliver the previously printed cash to Syria.
According to Reuters, after the new leadership took power, the Syrian pound strengthened on the black market. This was driven by an influx of Syrians returning from abroad and the lifting of strict controls on foreign currency trade. Exchange data showed that on February 13, the national currency traded at 9,850 pounds per US dollar. On February 14, when trading closed, the official exchange rate was around 13,000 pounds per dollar, according to the central bank.
On February 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin had his first phone conversation with Syria’s acting leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. During the discussion, Putin promised to help improve Syria’s socio-economic situation, including providing humanitarian aid to the population.
According to Putin, Russia "fundamentally supports" Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and is also ready to assist the new government in stabilizing the country.
Additionally, Putin invited Syria’s new foreign minister to visit Moscow and stated that Russia was open to reconsidering bilateral agreements signed during Assad’s rule.
Before Syria began printing money in Russia, it had an agreement with Oesterreichische Banknoten-und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, a subsidiary of Austria’s central bank, Reuters writes.
It is noted that Syria’s new government demanded that Russia halt the printing of Syrian currency after Assad fled to Moscow. The Reuters source did not clarify what prompted Russia to deliver the previously printed cash to Syria.
According to Reuters, after the new leadership took power, the Syrian pound strengthened on the black market. This was driven by an influx of Syrians returning from abroad and the lifting of strict controls on foreign currency trade. Exchange data showed that on February 13, the national currency traded at 9,850 pounds per US dollar. On February 14, when trading closed, the official exchange rate was around 13,000 pounds per dollar, according to the central bank.
On February 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin had his first phone conversation with Syria’s acting leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. During the discussion, Putin promised to help improve Syria’s socio-economic situation, including providing humanitarian aid to the population.
According to Putin, Russia "fundamentally supports" Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and is also ready to assist the new government in stabilizing the country.
Additionally, Putin invited Syria’s new foreign minister to visit Moscow and stated that Russia was open to reconsidering bilateral agreements signed during Assad’s rule.
Before Syria began printing money in Russia, it had an agreement with Oesterreichische Banknoten-und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH, a subsidiary of Austria’s central bank, Reuters writes.
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