Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Thursday that the trial of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was closed a long time ago, and that Russia's partners are fully aware of the circumstances of his arrival in Russia, according to Sputnik.
Asked about his position on requests for the prosecution of al-Assad, Lavrov told Turkish state TV channel, TRT, and Türkiye newspaper, that, “This issue has not been raised for a long time. Our partners are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding al-Assad and his family’s arrival in the Russian Federation in December 2024.”
Back then, Lavrov said, “Al-Assad’s life was under threat. He was granted asylum in Russia for purely humanitarian reasons, and he took it. As you may observe (if you follow our domestic affairs), al-Assad does not interfere in Syrian political affairs.”
He added that “understandings are now being substantiated. Processes long envisioned with our Turkish friends are beginning to take shape in Syria today, particularly regarding the political integration of Kurdish communities into Syria’s governmental, military and security structures,” he said.
On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the presence of Russian military bases in Syria was discussed during talks between Putin and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow.
Putin told al-Sharaa that Moscow always supported Syria’s integrity and congratulated him on reclaiming control over the area, describing it as a “very important step.”
“You know that we always stood for the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, and we support all your efforts in this direction,” Putin said.
For his part, al-Sharaa, who first visited Russia in October, thanked Putin for helping to stabilize Syria.
Al-Sharaa led a swift opposition offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war.
Last Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the rights of Kurdish citizens in Syria are guaranteed by a special presidential decree. On January 16, al‑Sharaa issued Decree No. (13) of 2026 affirming that Syrian Kurdish citizens are an integral and authentic part of the Syrian people, and that their cultural and linguistic identity is an inseparable component of Syria’s unified and diverse national identity.
Speaking at a ceremony for the Overseas Contracting Services Success Awards in Ankara, Erdogan reiterated his call on the PKK/YPG to abandon autonomy demands. “The shelf life of terrorism has expired,” he said.
