Berbok called for Russia's military bases to be removed from Syria

German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock has called on Russia to abandon military bases in Syria. The corresponding statement was published on the website of the German Foreign Ministry on January 3.

"It is also time for Russia to give up its military bases in Syria," the statement said.

Berbock also noted that Germany and its international partners are interested in ensuring that the internal Syrian process is not disrupted from the outside. Therefore, all neighboring states should respect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"We now have a goal that millions of Syrians also long for: that Syria can once again become a respected member of the international community and a safe home for all its inhabitants," the ministry said on its website.

Basic issue: Syrian opposition reported meetings with Russian Federation representatives

And while the new ATS authorities are legitimizing their activities, tensions are rising between members of different faiths in the country

In late December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was interested in dialog with the new Syrian authorities not only on security issues but also on the regional agenda.

On December 8, Bashar al-Assad, after negotiations with the opposition, left the post of the head of state and left the country, giving instructions to carry out the transfer of power peacefully. On the same day, the national coalition of revolutionary and opposition forces in Syria announced that it was working on the formation of a transitional authority. In turn, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said that most of the ministers of the Syrian government remain in Damascus, and he himself is ready to cooperate with any elected leadership.

The situation in Syria has escalated as a result of a major attack by armed formations in Aleppo and Idlib, which began on November 28, 2024, and led to the Syrian army's retaliation against the militants.