Bloomberg reports that Russia believes it has an informal agreement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels that allows it to keep its military bases. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Russia hopes to keep the bases to “continue the fight against international terrorism.” He emphasized that the decision on the further fate of Russian forces in Syria has not yet been made. On the Polish Army News program, Reservist Maximilian Dura asked why Syria is so important to Russia. – He is important. The problem is that they can't do anything at the moment. The changes that were there have already taken place, – replied the guest of the program. He emphasized that Western countries are also influencing these changes and will not allow Russians to regain what was before. – In fact, Syria was a base for the Russian Federation to operate and intervene in politics in the Middle East. At the moment, Russia is losing the opportunity of a player, says the expert. Dura also noted that Russia is the main supplier of military equipment to Syria. – Now this spring will be closed. Syria's growing military is buying weapons, but not from the infamous Russia. The loss is political, the loss is economic, the loss is military. Basically, everything that happens is a loss, – said the guest of the program. He noted that Putin failed not only in Syria, but in general, because this is one of the elements that he has destroyed in Russian politics. – It should be said that the Russian Federation, in order to lose any ability to influence in the Middle East, really had to be able to do this, and Putin did it. Russians will not forget this for a long time, he said in conclusion.
