In a recent statement, Konstantin Kosachyov, the deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, outlined Russia's stance on the ongoing civil war in Syria.
He emphasised that, while Moscow remains committed to supporting the Syrian people in certain circumstances, the burden of dealing with a full-scale civil war will ultimately fall on Syria itself.
Kosachyov's words highlight Russia’s complicated involvement in the conflict, given its evolving priorities and military commitments.
The Syrian civil war, which has ravaged the country for over a decade, has seen numerous shifts in power dynamics. Recently, Syrian rebels announced they had gained control of Damascus, marking a significant turn in the conflict and signalling the potential collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
The fall of Damascus would end the Assad family's decades-long grip on power, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region.
Russia’s support for Assad has been unwavering throughout the conflict, particularly since 2015 when Moscow intervened to prop up the embattled regime. Russian military intervention has been a pivotal factor in preventing Assad's downfall, allowing him to retain control of much of the country despite rebel advances.
However, with the ongoing war in Ukraine demanding much of Russia’s military resources, Moscow’s ability to influence the situation in Syria has become more constrained.
Despite maintaining two military facilities in Syria, Russia has not been able to mobilise the same level of support as it once did.
This shift in Russia's posture has raised concerns among Russian war bloggers, particularly regarding the fate of the military facilities under rebel control.
There have been fears that the facilities might be targeted or destroyed, but so far, both the Russian Embassy in Damascus and the military bases appear to remain intact, with Russian personnel reported to be safe.
Kosachyov, a seasoned Russian diplomat, acknowledged the complexity of the Syrian situation and warned that the end of Assad's rule would not mark the end of the civil war.
He stated that the country faces a grim future, with a multitude of opposing forces, including terrorist groups, continuing to complicate any potential resolution.
For Kosachyov, the civil war in Syria is a tragedy, not only for the Syrian people but also for Russia, which has invested significant resources in the country.
He further clarified that Russia’s primary task in Syria would be to ensure the safety of its citizens, including diplomats and military personnel.
While Moscow remains open to continuing its support for Syria, particularly in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Kosachyov made it clear that Russia would not take on the responsibility of fighting a full-scale civil war on Syria’s behalf.
For now, it appears that Russia’s involvement in Syria will be limited to providing assistance on specific issues, rather than engaging directly in the ongoing conflict.
The burden of resolving the civil war, according to Kosachyov, will lie with the Syrians themselves, who must confront the many challenges ahead without external intervention on the scale seen in previous years.
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