Russia fails to reach deal with Syria on military bases

Russia has not reached an agreement with Syria’s new government on the future of its military bases in the country, the Militarniy news portal reported, citing Syrian sources.

Damascus said it has suspended agreements signed with Moscow under previous authorities. Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said talks on revising the accords were ongoing, but “no new documents have been signed.”

Syrian President al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin ended without bridging differences over the duration and terms of Russia’s military presence.

Russian forces are currently stationed in Syria under a 2017 agreement valid for 49 years, but the current Syrian leadership says the deal “no longer serves the country’s interests” and must be renegotiated.