The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied reports that exiled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has sought refuge in Moscow. “I have nothing to say regarding the location of President Assad,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
Reports from Russian state media on Sunday, citing an anonymous Kremlin source, claimed that Assad had arrived in Moscow with his family and was granted asylum on humanitarian grounds. Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the asylum request but added that no meeting between Putin and Assad is currently planned.
Uncertainty Surrounds Syria’s Future
Peskov described the developments in Syria as unexpected, stating, “What happened in Syria took the whole world by surprise, and Russia is no exception.” He added that it is premature to discuss the implications for Russia’s two military bases in Syria, noting that such matters will need to be addressed with Syria’s new rulers.
Russia’s Longstanding Support for Assad
Russia has been a staunch ally of Assad throughout the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011. In 2015, Russian military forces intervened to bolster Assad’s regime, playing a critical role in reversing rebel advances and securing his grip on power. Despite this support, Syrian rebels have now succeeded in ending Assad’s rule, bringing uncertainty to the future of Russian-Syrian relations.
The situation remains fluid, with the Kremlin remaining tight-lipped about Assad’s status and the broader consequences for the region.
