What is behind the new tripartite platform for Syria?
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Yury Borisov (3rd L) meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad (Rear R) in Damascus, Syria on 7 September 2020. [Russian Foreign Ministry / Handout - Anadolu Agency]
March 16, 2021 at 12:04 pm
It may seem natural for Russian diplomats to try to promote a new platform for Syria alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has, after all, heard comforting words from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on the necessity of political openness to the regime in Damascus and the need for Syria to return to the Arab League after a ten-year absence. However, what is strange is that the Russians want a platform for Syria with Qatar and Turkey, two countries with a political position that contradicts Moscow's.