European Allies Debate Pushing Syria Rulers to Oust Russian Army
(Bloomberg) -- Some European nations are considering making the expulsion of Russia’s military from Syria a precondition for lifting restrictions against the Islamist group now in control of most of the country, according to people familiar with the matter.
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A debate is also underway about whether to make the delivery of longer-term aid to the war-ravaged nation conditional on Moscow vacating its two Syrian bases, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive material. The talks are ongoing and a joint final decision has yet to be taken, they said.
The conferring between countries is a sign of broader international support for the position taken by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who said it would be “too early” to lift European Union sanctions against Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, which ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a little over a week ago.
“We really would like to condition that on an inclusive political transition,” he said of the proposed removal of EU sanctions.
“I think it’s also important to look at conditionality regarding the Russian military bases in Syria,” Veldkamp said in Brussels ahead of a foreign ministers meeting on Monday. “We want the Russians out.”
The EU is backing Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion, a war that’s approaching the end of its third year.
HTS is a former affiliate of al-Qaeda and is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the EU. Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa has sought to project a more moderate image since ascending to power, with the group reaching out to non-Muslim communities across Syria to reassure them of their rights and freedoms.
Russia, an ally of Assad which came to the former Syrian leader’s rescue when he was close to being overthrown in 2015, has two vital military bases in the country — its naval port in Tartus and the air base at Khmeimim. Bloomberg reported last week that talks are underway between Moscow and HTS to retain the presence, which makes it easier for Russia to manage its military, political and economic influence in Africa.
The EU hasn’t made a formal decision about its next steps on Syrian sanctions. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said Monday she is sending the bloc’s top diplomat for Syria to make contact with the new government in Damascus.
“I think we cannot leave a vacuum – and we have not,” Kallas told reporters. “We are also going to discuss with the foreign ministers on what level of engagement and how we proceed from here.”
Outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration has warned HTS it could face international isolation if it doesn’t abide by principles laid out by the US and others. Washington has held direct talks with the group, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday.
Satellite imagery suggests Russia has already started packing up some assets at its military bases and moving others, such as ships, away from Syria.
Losing the sites would be a huge blow to the Kremlin, which uses the air bridge with Africa to rebuild some of its Cold War-era clout on the continent, particularly in places like the Central African Republic and Sudan.
Russia uses the Khmeimim air base to send personnel and military supplies to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — all of which have experienced recent coups and cut ties with the West in favor of Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that talks about the fate of the bases are ongoing with Syrian authorities.
--With assistance from Andrea Palasciano.
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