Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved providing refuge to Bashar al-Assad, the ousted leader of the Bashar regime in Syria, and his family.
Commenting on Russia’s decision to provide shelter to Assad and his family, Peskov said:
“Such decisions are not made without the president’s permission. This is his decision.”
He said that Putin had not planned to meet with Assad.
Peskov did not want to provide information about Assad’s whereabouts.
He also addressed the situation regarding Russia’s Hmeimim and Tartus military bases in Syria.
“This is an important issue. It is a bit early to talk about it. In any case, this is an issue that needs to be discussed with those who will be in power in Syria. Now there are changes and extreme instability. The period continues, so time and serious consultations are needed,” Peskov said.
He stressed that the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the security of these bases.
He also assessed the Astana format created by Russia, Turkey and Iran regarding the Syrian issue.
“This format has lost its purpose. On the other hand, it always remains in force as a mechanism for exchanging views and political consultations between countries. One way or another, these consultations will continue,” Peskov explained.
The Kremlin spokesman added that they are interacting with Turkey and other countries in the region regarding the situation in Syria.
In late November, there was an intensification of the conflict between anti-regime armed groups and forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
The groups established supremacy in the largest provinces such as Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Homs between November 30 and December 7.
Opposition forces launched a lightning offensive, capturing key cities, and then, on Sunday, the capital Damascus.
The rapid advance, supported by defecting military units, led to the collapse of the Assad regime after 13 years of civil war.
Assad and his family fled to Moscow.
