The new Syrian government is demanding that Russia hand over former president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow after rebels captured Damascus in December 2024. About this informs Reuters.
Such a demand was put forward by the de facto leader of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa during negotiations with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mykhailo Bogdanov. The Russian delegation, which also included the Kremlin’s special representative for Syria, Oleksandr Lavrentiev, visited Damascus on January 28 — the first time since the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Following the meeting, the Syrian side published a statement in which it was noted that Russia “confirmed its support for positive changes in the country.” The new government of Syria emphasized that the restoration of relations with Moscow should take into account previous mistakes, be based on respect for the will of the Syrian people and meet their interests.
In addition, the Syrian authorities demanded compensation from Russia for the damage caused, recalling that Moscow supported the Assad regime by carrying out airstrikes on Syrian cities during the civil war.
