European Union (EU) nations are seeking guarantees from Syria's new leaders that they will distance themselves from Russia and Iran and work towards a peaceful future for Syria after years of civil war.
“Russia and Iran are not your friends, (and) are not helping you if you are in trouble. They left Assad’s regime, and that is a very clear message showing that their hands are full elsewhere and they are weakened,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday, addressing Syria’s new leaders.
During a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas added that the EU wants a stable, peaceful, and inclusive political future for Syria, free from the influence of extremist groups and foreign powers like Russia and Iran.
“Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future, and we have to make sure that this goes to the right direction,” Kallas added.
Since Damascus fell on December 8 and Bashar Assad fled to Moscow, Syria’s transition has been unexpectedly smooth, with minimal reports of violence or chaos. The interim government, led by former opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), considered a terrorist organization by the EU and US, will govern until March. Arab leaders have called for UN-supervised elections, while the EU plans to send an envoy to discuss Syria's future leadership.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Monday that Syria’s new leaders must understand that the EU has red lines which should be respected before sanctions on the country are lifted. “We must make sure that there (is) no foreign interference,” he said.
His French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot also told reporters that before any sanctions are lifted or EU aid sent to Syria, some conditions must be met, including a political transition with all Syrian minority groups represented, the respect of women and human rights, and the rejection of extremism.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said that “regarding the Russian military bases in Syria, we want the Russians out.”
Syria, affected by decades of Assad family governance, grapples with widespread poverty, high inflation, unemployment and systemic challenges.
Millions have sought refuge abroad, including hundreds of thousands in Europe. While some EU countries have paused new asylum applications for Syrians, support is being extended to those choosing to return voluntarily.
