Russia must exit Syria for EU to lift sanctions on HTS: Dutch FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
16 Dec 2024 18:50
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According to Bloomberg, Moscow is negotiating an agreement with Syria's new leadership to retain its strategic bases.

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Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp speaks to the press after arriving for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels on November 18, 2024. (AP)

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has called for Russia's military withdrawal from Syria as a key condition for lifting European Union sanctions on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Speaking ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting, Veldkamp stressed the need to tie sanctions relief to an inclusive political transition and the removal of Russian forces.

"I think it's too early to lift those sanctions," Veldkamp said. "We really would like to condition that on an inclusive political transition."

He added, "It's also important to look at conditionality regarding the Russian military bases in Syria. We want the Russians out."

HTS and Its Path Forward

HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, is designated as a terrorist organization by both the EU and the US.

Western reports claim that the group has attempted to rebrand itself with a more "moderate" image since assuming control in Syria. However, footage circulating online has shown armed men attempting to enter shrines and churches belonging to minority groups.

Veldkamp stressed that HTS must respect minority rights, including those of Christians and Kurds, and avoid agreements that allow Russia to maintain its military presence in the country.

Previous reports from Bloomberg indicate that Moscow is negotiating an agreement with Syria’s new leadership to retain control of two strategic bases: the naval port in Tartus and the airbase at Khmeimim.

"I think it’s also important to look at conditionality regarding the Russian military bases in Syria," Veldkamp said. "We want the Russians out."

EU and US Perspectives

The EU has yet to decide on its next steps regarding sanctions on Syria. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans to send a top diplomat to engage with Syria's new government.

"We cannot leave a vacuum — and we have not," Kallas said, signaling a cautious approach to future engagement with Damascus.

The US, meanwhile, has urged HTS to adhere to international principles. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently confirmed direct talks with the group, warning that HTS risks international isolation if it fails to respect minority rights and global norms.

On Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Russia has evacuated part of its diplomatic missions from Syria, along with diplomats from Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Abkhazia.

Russia's Base Strategy Uncertain

The Kremlin has not made any definitive decisions about the future of its military bases in Syria. Reports from Reuters suggest that Russia is scaling back its forward positions in northern Syria and the Alawite Mountains while maintaining its strategic bases at Khmeimim and Tartus.

Satellite imagery from Friday revealed two large Antonov AN-124 cargo planes at Khmeimim airbase, apparently being prepared for heavy equipment transport. A Syrian security official indicated that at least one cargo plane departed for Libya on Saturday.

Additionally, Syrian military sources reported that Moscow is withdrawing forces and relocating heavy equipment, raising questions about the long-term role of Russia's military in the region.