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After the change of power in Syria and the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the country’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, held talks with representatives of Russia, during which Damascus put forward two key demands. Firstly, Syria demands the extradition of Assad, who fled to Russia after being ousted from power. Second, official Damascus insists on paying compensation for Moscow’s support of the Assad regime during the civil war.
According to Reuters, the Syrian government expects Russia to take concrete steps, including financing the country’s reconstruction, rebuilding infrastructure, and paying for damages. This could be an important step to restore trust between the two countries after years of alliance.
The Kremlin has not yet made an official statement on these demands. However, experts note that Moscow is in a difficult position: on the one hand, it risks losing its military presence in the region, including important bases in Tartus and Hmeymim, and on the other hand, Assad’s extradition could significantly undermine its influence in the Middle East.
It is not yet clear whether Russia will make concessions, as it has repeatedly demonstrated that it is ready to fight for its interests in Syria. However, the new government in Damascus has made it clear that the Assad era is over, and it is time to build a new Syria – without external dictates.
