Al-Shaibani: Negotiations with Russia Are Ongoing, and No Agreement Has Been Reached on Military Bases

The Foreign Minister of Syria’s transitional government, Asaad Al-Shaibani, said that negotiations with Russia over the future of the two military bases in Hmeimim and Tartus are still ongoing, confirming that no final agreement has been reached so far.

In an interview with Al-Majalla magazine, Al-Shaibani explained that “talks are ongoing and their details cannot be disclosed,” noting that he had reviewed the previous agreement signed between Moscow and Damascus regarding the Hmeimim base, describing it as a “one-sided agreement.” He added that the transitional government is working to “reorganize the relationship in a way that serves Syrian interests first and foremost.”

The minister indicated that he has overseen foreign relations since 2018 and had been in contact with several countries during that period. Speaking about the circumstances preceding the “Deterrence of Aggression” operation—which led to the fall of the previous regime—Al-Shaibani said negotiations with Russia at the time focused on separating Moscow’s military presence in Syria from Bashar al-Assad’s continued rule, adding that “the fall of the regime does not necessarily mean Russia’s exit from Syria.”

Al-Shaibani also revealed that communications were not conducted directly with the Russian base but with a “higher authority,” which he declined to name, confirming that a face-to-face meeting took place at the Bab al-Hawa crossing. He added that the Russian side came to the crossing to hold the meeting.

According to Al-Shaibani, those communications resulted in a set of understandings, including refraining from political escalation at the UN Security Council, avoiding inflammatory media rhetoric against political change in Syria, refraining from bombing cities, and discussing future arrangements involving possible facilities for the Russians should they redeploy their forces.

The minister stated that these understandings serve as a basis for reshaping the relationship between the two sides during the transitional phase, emphasizing that they fall within a framework that serves the interests of the Syrian people.