EU to discuss closure of Russian naval base with new Syrian government

The European Union will raise the issue of closing Russian bases in Syria during meetings with the country’s new authorities.

This was stated by the head of European diplomacy Kaia Kallas after a meeting with EU foreign ministers, writes Politico.

According to her, many officials raised this issue: they believe that there should be a condition for the new leadership of Syria to get rid of Russian influence, since these bases also allow the Russians to conduct activities in Africa and the country’s southern neighbors.

The head of European diplomacy added that during the first contacts with the new leadership of Syria, the European Union will raise the issue of Russian bases – the naval port in Tartus and the air base in Khmeimim.

Kallas also reported that the European Union has addressed the rebels who overthrew former Syrian President Bashar Assad with a number of conditions that must be met before the bloc officially recognizes the new government or establishes diplomatic ties with it. The EU previously suspended all diplomatic relations with the Assad regime.

As previously reported by USM, Russia is asking the Syrians to keep the naval base in Tartus.