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Russia Concerned... Kremlin Communicates with Washington about Syrian Developments
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The Kremlin's statements express Russian concern about the repercussions of destabilizing Syria, which reinforces the need for a constitution that ensures representation of all components and achieves
The Kremlin expressed today, Tuesday, its desire to see a united and friendly Syria following the events that the country has witnessed in the past few days, warning that instability there could affect the entire region.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "It is a very explosive region, of course... destabilization or instability in one of the countries of the region could have catastrophic consequences for the entire region, so we want to see Syria united, prosperous, developed, with a clear future and friendly," in a reference that reflects a shift in the Russian position that for decades supported a central regime that weakened state institutions.
He explained that Russia is communicating with other countries regarding the situation in Syria after violence erupted over the past few days, which shows international interest in Syria's future and the necessity of adopting solutions that ensure its stability.
Clashes between loyalists of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and security agencies affiliated with the transitional government in the country have resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand people, most of them civilians, in events that reveal the legacy of the previous authoritarian central rule.
Moscow was one of Assad's most prominent supporters, who fled to Russia in December after his overthrow, which makes its current position important for supporting the transition path toward decentralized governance.
Russia maintains two military bases in Syria that are of great strategic importance, and hopes to retain them after Assad's fall, which may push it to cooperate with the new authorities.
TASS news agency quoted Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, as saying yesterday, Monday, that Russia is communicating with the United States to coordinate regarding the escalation of violence in Syria, in an indication of an international opportunity to support a governance model that protects Syrian diversity and ensures representation of all components.
