The European Union is set to address the issue of Russian military bases in Syria with the country’s new leadership, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Some EU member states are advocating for the closure of Russian bases, arguing that it should be a condition for engaging with the new Syrian government.
“Many foreign ministers took this up to say that, you know, it should be a condition for the new leadership that they also get rid of the Russian influence there because it is a base where they also conduct their activities toward Africa and southern neighbors,” Kallas explained after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “So we will raise this issue with the leadership when we have the meetings.”
The EU is also reaching out to Syrian rebel groups that ousted former President Bashar Assad, establishing conditions for formal recognition or diplomatic relations. The bloc had previously suspended all diplomatic ties with Assad’s government. Kallas noted that the EU would discuss Russia’s Tartus and Khmeimim bases during early discussions with rebel factions, as Russia has reduced its presence in those locations but has not fully withdrawn from Syria.
Meanwhile, Israel has been targeting Syrian military assets in these regions, although there have been no reports of attacks on Russian ships.
Earlier on Monday, Kallas confirmed that she was sending an EU diplomat to Syria to open communication channels with the rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. This move follows recent statements by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who confirmed that Washington is also in direct contact with the group.
