Russian Foreign Minister: Ahmed al Sharaa is under great pressure from the West

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the leader of the current authorities in Syria, Ahmed al Shara, is under great pressure from the West to stop dealing with Russia.

This came in response to a question from RT correspondent, who asked about the Astana format and its current role in the new situation in Syria.

Lavrov continued that the Astana format has met more than 20 times, the last of which was before the recent events on December 7.

Lavrov pointed out that everyone in the Astana format (Russia, Türkiye and Iran) communicates and exchanges views, and expressed his opinion that the Astana format, along with the Arab countries and the Gulf states, can be a useful factor in establishing stability, as the Russian minister stressed that relations between Russia and Syria are solid, and extend back to the days of the Soviet Union, which helped the Syrians get rid of French colonialism, and supported the economic, social and scientific fields in the country.

Lavrov said, “Russia, and before it the Soviet Union, prepared tens of thousands of Syrian cadres in their universities, while now about 5,000 Syrians are studying in Syrian universities”.

Lavrov stressed that the Syrian people’s interest today is focused on establishing balanced relations with everyone, and in this context the Astana formula can play an important role.

Regarding the current leader of the regime, Ahmed al Sharaa, Lavrov said, “he is under great pressure from the West, which wants to seize as much influence and space as possible… It’s pressuring him to distance himself from Russia, to the point that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said that a number of ministers suggested expelling the Russians, and the Estonian Foreign Minister stipulated the withdrawal of military bases in order for Syria to receive aid,” which Lavrov called “unparalleled impudence”.

Lavrov continued, “The Western powers aren’t interested in the unity of Syria as much as they are interested in obtaining the largest possible share of influence, territory and resources”.