Lavrov: ‘Syria Must Not Be Allowed To Fall Apart’

Dec. 29—Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov laid out the principles which are guiding Russia’s current approach to the situation in Syria after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, in two answers in his Dec. 26 press conference. First and foremost, Russia is focusing on “preventing Syria from repeating the path of the Libyan state after NATO destroyed it—that country still needs to be put back together piece by piece,” he emphasized.

Russia seeks to help stabilize the situation, so that elections can be organized which are “inclusive, meaning that all political, ethnic and religious groups in Syria have to be represented,” he reported. This transitional period “is not an easy process,” but Russia has maintained contact with most of the political groups operating in Syria from before the recent events, and is open to contacts with all. He expressed hope that when the new Syrian government stabilizes, Russian economic and investment cooperation can be resumed. Russia’s ties to Syria are long-standing, going back to the days of Syria’s liberation from colonialism.

Lavrov placed special importance on the role to be played by other countries in the region. He cited the Astana Format process created by Russia, Iran and Türkiye as an asset in stabilizing the situation, now “with support from the majority of Arab nations.” He cited Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, the U.A.E., Bahrain, and Lebanon as agreeing with Russia in the goal to prevent a new Libya.

He carefully formulated his remarks on Türkiye. Russia understands Türkiye’s legitimate concerns about terrorism along its border with Syria, he said. But “these legitimate security concerns must be addressed while preserving Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he agrees with this approach; “we support that.”

He also warned Israel that “one cannot expect to destroy all military facilities in a neighboring country and then live in peace and harmony until the end of time.” Those who so violate the principle of the indivisibility of the security of all states are “sowing the wind” which will come back “in a storm of consequences.”

But while “the Syrian people are interested in establishing good relations with all ‘external players’ without exception,” the West, both Europeans and Americans, are placing great pressure on the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa and his associates, Lavrov warned. “Their goal is not to preserve the unity of all ethno-political forces in Syria, but to secure as much influence and territory for themselves as possible.” The EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas threatened that the new government must “kick out” Russian military bases from Syria, or the EU won’t support it. (She is from “the most important power of all,” Estonia, he chuckled.)

Likewise, the Americans continue to illegally occupy the major oil fields and the most fertile soil of Syria, “extracting and exporting the country’s resources, directing the proceeds to support US-created separatist groups in eastern Syria. This must certainly be addressed. Syria must not be allowed to fall apart.”