Syrian new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa hopes for a better relationship with Moscow, Qatar said.
Qatar’s Emil Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is keen on the new Syrian leadership to develop ties with Moscow.
In a speech in the Russian capital on Thursday, Al Thani assured Russian leaders that interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to develop ties with Russia after the removal of former Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad.
“As for Syria, President Al-Shara was in Qatar a few days ago. We spoke with him about the historical and strategic relationship between Syria and Russia,” Al-Thani told Putin.
The talks are attempting to maintain Russian use of two Syrian military bases to maintain influence in the region after Al Assad fled the country in December as opposition fighters led by Al Assad in the capital were shut down.
Putin said the situation in Syria, which has been shaking with sectarian violence in recent weeks, is extremely important.
“We want to do everything first to ensure that Syria remains sovereign, independence and territorial integrity, and we would like to discuss with you about the possibility of providing assistance to the Syrian people, including humanitarian assistance,” the Kremlin leader told EMIR.
The two men also discussed the situation in Gaza, where Qatar played a key role in brokering the January ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas for a three-phase ceasefire.
Israel resumed its attacks in the enclaves that were siege in March and so far failed to make a breakthrough as it attempts to restore the ceasefire.
“We reached an agreement on Gaza a few months ago, but Israel has not followed the agreement,” Al Thani said.
“In its role as a mediator, Qatar will strive to fill in a different perspective to reach an agreement that will end the suffering of the Palestinians.”
Putin told Emile:
Unfortunately, the proposed initiatives that include you have not been implemented. Peaceful people continue to die in Palestine, the absolute tragedy of today. ”
Interfax quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying there was no substantial discussion about the war in Ukraine, but Putin thanked Qatar for his involvement in arranging the return of children from both countries who had separated from their parents during the war.
