E.U. to discuss shutting down Russian military bases with Syria’s new authorities
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The European Union plans to discuss the closure of Russian military bases in Syria with the country’s new leadership, the E.U.’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said.
Kallas told journalists that “many foreign ministers” support the idea of removing Russia’s military presence from Syria, Politico reported.
According to Kallas, this “should be a condition for the new leadership” in Syria. She added that the issue will be raised “with the [Syrian] leadership when we have the meetings.”
Russia maintains military bases in Tartus and southeast of Latakia, in Syria. Reports indicate that the Russian authorities are negotiating with Syria’s new leadership to keep these bases operational.
The new Syrian authorities, who ousted President Bashar al-Assad in early December, have yet to make any official statements regarding the presence of Russian forces. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it’s “too early” to talk about preserving the Russian bases at Khmeimim and Tartus. “This is a subject for discussion with those who will lead Syria,” Peskov said.
Russia’s bases in Syria
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