Moscow Responds to Germany's Demand to Shut Down Russian Facilities in Syria
Maria Zakharova criticized Germany's Annalena Baerbock over her call for the removal of Russian bases from Syria, suggesting a double standard. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has called out German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for her request for Russia to withdraw from its military bases in Syria. Zakharova, in a statement on her Telegram channel on Friday, suggested that Baerbock should instead focus on the presence of US military bases in Germany.
“This is being said by the foreign minister of a country that hosts US military bases. I have a question: when will the German foreign minister say something similar to Washington?” Zakharova remarked in response to Baerbock’s comments.
Baerbock made her remarks after visiting Damascus on Friday, where she and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot became the first EU ministers to travel to Syria since the ousting of President Bashar Assad. According to the German publication Tagesschau, the visit aimed to prevent Syria from falling under the influence of Russia and China.
The dynamics in Syria shifted significantly in November when militant groups, primarily led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a sudden offensive against government forces. This led to the rapid downfall of Assad’s government, forcing him to seek refuge in Moscow.
Since 2015, Russia has supported Assad's regime in its fight against terrorism. In 2017, Russia and Syria formalized a long-term military presence with a deal for a 49-year lease of the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim airbase in the east.
In late December, the leader of HTS, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, stated that Damascus has “strategic interests” in fostering good relations with Russia, labeling it the “second most powerful country in the world.”
“We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way that would not be befitting for its long-standing relations with the nation,” al-Julani added.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia reinforced this view on Friday, indicating that Syria’s new de facto leaders are interested in maintaining ties with Moscow and its military presence in the region.
During a year-end press conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the issue of a continued Russian military presence in Syria requires “careful consideration.” He stated, “We must reflect on how our relations will evolve with the political forces currently in control and those that will govern this country in the future.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
“This is being said by the foreign minister of a country that hosts US military bases. I have a question: when will the German foreign minister say something similar to Washington?” Zakharova remarked in response to Baerbock’s comments.
Baerbock made her remarks after visiting Damascus on Friday, where she and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot became the first EU ministers to travel to Syria since the ousting of President Bashar Assad. According to the German publication Tagesschau, the visit aimed to prevent Syria from falling under the influence of Russia and China.
The dynamics in Syria shifted significantly in November when militant groups, primarily led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a sudden offensive against government forces. This led to the rapid downfall of Assad’s government, forcing him to seek refuge in Moscow.
Since 2015, Russia has supported Assad's regime in its fight against terrorism. In 2017, Russia and Syria formalized a long-term military presence with a deal for a 49-year lease of the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim airbase in the east.
In late December, the leader of HTS, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, stated that Damascus has “strategic interests” in fostering good relations with Russia, labeling it the “second most powerful country in the world.”
“We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way that would not be befitting for its long-standing relations with the nation,” al-Julani added.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia reinforced this view on Friday, indicating that Syria’s new de facto leaders are interested in maintaining ties with Moscow and its military presence in the region.
During a year-end press conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the issue of a continued Russian military presence in Syria requires “careful consideration.” He stated, “We must reflect on how our relations will evolve with the political forces currently in control and those that will govern this country in the future.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
