Russian analyst says future of Damascus-Moscow relations remains unclear
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The future of Syrian-Russian relations remains uncertain, but current indicators point to a high level of coordination between Moscow and Damascus, Russian political analyst Dmitry Bridzhe said on Thursday.
Speaking to North Press, Bridzhe said efforts are underway to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries. He noted the presence of new military equipment at one of Russia’s bases on the Syrian coast, alongside discussions about training Syrian forces, supplying new weapons, and contributing to the restructuring of Syria’s military following the fall of the al-Assad regime.
His remarks came a day after Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said relations between Moscow and Damascus were continuing to develop across various fields of cooperation. She also revealed that discussions are underway with the Syrian transitional government regarding a possible restructuring of Russia’s military facilities in Latakia and Tartus.
Bridzhe noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously spoken about transforming Russia’s military presence in Syria into a platform that could serve humanitarian purposes, support reconstruction efforts, and help address economic challenges linked to Syria’s transitional period and post-war recovery.
The analyst added that existing agreements between Moscow and Damascus are likely to be revised, pointing out that the United States remains concerned about the continued Russian military presence in Syria.
According to Bridzhe, U.S. concerns are fueled by reports suggesting that Russia’s military facilities in Syria could potentially be used to support Iran-aligned militias through logistical and military coordination.
“Washington is wary of Russia maintaining its role in the region,” Bridzhe said, citing reports of continued Russian-Iranian military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and exchanges of military expertise, alongside U.S. military support for Ukraine.
He also suggested that the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in southern Syria may be under discussion, although it remains unclear whether Syria’s current government would approve such a proposal or whether Moscow is genuinely interested in pursuing it.
Bridzhe stressed that the issue is particularly significant in the context of Syria’s security and stability. He added that major questions remain regarding the future of Russia’s military bases and the agreements signed between the two countries in 2016 and 2017, especially those related to economic and trade cooperation.