Western sanctions on Syria lack logic after regime change: Bogdanov
3 Min Read
Russia calls for the removal of all unilateral sanctions on Syria and urges a shift in approach.
-
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov speaks with journalists at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 (AP)
Western sanctions against Syria have become unjustifiable following the shift in power within the country, asserted Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa.
Speaking on behalf of Moscow, Bogdanov emphasized that even when viewed through the West’s skewed logic, continuing sanctions against Syria post-regime change no longer makes sense.
“We believe that even if the situation in Syria is viewed through the lens of the West's distorted logic, after the fundamental changes and the removal of the 'Bashar Assad regime' there, continuing sanctions pressure on Damascus has lost any sense," Bogdanov stated, as quoted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.
Russia calls for the removal of all unilateral sanctions on Syria and urges a shift in approach. Bogdanov added, "Under the current circumstances, it is necessary to abandon confrontational and politicized approaches to the Syrian crisis and consolidate international efforts to provide effective assistance to the Syrian people while promoting the country's post-crisis reconstruction."
He also highlighted that these sanctions "clearly hinder the achievement of this crucial objective."
Moscow sees some countries easing their sanctions on Syria as "a step in the right direction," Bogdanov concluded.
Russia, Syria agree to continue talks on military bases: Bogdanov
In a different context, Syria's new Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra stated late last week that Syria is open to allowing Russia to maintain its air and naval bases along the Mediterranean coast, provided that any agreement with Moscow serves Syria's national interests.
In an interview for The Washington Post, Abu Qasra explained that the Syrian government is adopting a pragmatic approach, reassessing and forming new alliances while reconsidering old ones that were established under the previous regime.
He emphasized that Russia's stance toward the new Syrian government has "improved significantly" since the fall of the al-Assad regime in December, and similarly, the Syrian government's position toward Moscow has shifted, signaling a change in their strategic approach.
Earlier last month, Bogdanov said Russia and Syria have agreed to continue consultations regarding the future of Russian military bases in Syria.
"We expressed our gratitude that our citizens and facilities were not affected by the events of recent weeks. And we expressed the hope that this line will be maintained, that our interests will not be affected in Syria," Bogdanov told reporters.
"So far, nothing is changing [regarding Russian bases]. This issue requires additional negotiations. We have agreed to continue more in-depth consultations on each area of our cooperation."
Bogdanov clarified that the agreement on the management of the Tartus port is purely a technical matter.
Read next: Syria, EU discuss sanction relief following transition
