(31 Jul 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
AGENCY POOL
Moscow, Russia – 31 July 2025
1. Russian Foreign Ministers, Sergey Lavrov, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, walking into news conference room
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister:
“Syria looks forward to full and sincere Russian cooperation in supporting the path of transitional justice in Syria. This lays the foundation for building a state governed by law, ensuring non-repetition of violations, and restoring dignity to the victims.”
3. Journalist cameras
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister:
“During our meeting with Mr. Lavrov, we agreed to reassess previous agreements and to form two ministerial committees to review all pre-existing agreements with the former regime, ensuring they are re-evaluated in a way that serves the interests of our people.”
5. Lavrov and al-Shibani at podium
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister:
“Any external interference in the internal affairs of any country—not just Syria—will inevitably lead to chaos. Our conditions with Israel are clear: no meddling in domestic matters, and no exploitation of minority issues.”
7. Journalist asking question
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister:
"Many countries want stability and security in Syria but there are some that want a weak and divided Syria that want to prove that the government is unable to protect the minorities or that there are internal problems."
8. Lavrov and al-Shibani at podium
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister:
"We said since day one that we have no hostile intentions towards Israel. We pose no threat to Israel. Syria just wants to rebuild itself. We are tired of the war over the past 14 years. We want to reunite Syrians—both inside the country and abroad.”
10. Lavrov and al-Shibani leaving presser room
STORYLINE:
Russia’s top diplomat on Thursday met with his Syrian counterpart during the first formal to Moscow by an official of the new government in Damascus since former Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted in a rebel offensive last year despite years of Russian support.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Syria was interested in ties with Russia and having Russia “by our side.”
Despite having been on opposite sides of the battle lines during the civil war, the new rulers in Damascus, headed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, have taken a pragmatic approach to relations with Moscow.
Assad was an ally of Russia, and Moscow’s scorched-earth intervention in support of him a decade ago turned the tide of Syria’s civil war and keep Assad in his seat for years.
However, when insurgent groups launched a new offensive last year, Russia did not intervene again to save Assad.
Assad took refuge in Russia after his ouster, later claiming in a statement posted on Facebook that he had wanted to stay in the country and continue fighting but that the Russians had pulled him out.
A Russian delegation visited Damascus in January, and the following month Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had a call with al-Sharaa that the Kremlin described as “constructive and business-like.”
Some Russian forces have remained on the Syrian coast, and Russia has reportedly sent oil shipments to Syria.
Without naming Assad, al-Shibani called on Russia to support the country’s post-Assad “transitional justice” process and said Syria has formed a committee to review preexisting agreements with Russia.
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