From Syria to the Iranian nuclear... Russia awaits new agreements

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Russia is moving on more than one path to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, between new arrangements regarding its military bases in Syria, its readiness to receive Iranian enriched uranium, in addition to its commitment to holding a Russian-Arab summit as soon as the situation in the region stabilizes.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgi Borisenko said on Wednesday that Moscow hopes to sign intergovernmental agreements on Russian military facilities in Syria before the end of the year. He explained that these facilities will be transformed into joint Russian-Syrian training and logistics centers, according to what was reported by the Russian "TASS" agency.

Borisenko also indicated that a temporary memorandum was signed last August regarding the transformation of Russian military facilities into training centers for Syrian military personnel, while intergovernmental agreements are being prepared that determine the status of these facilities in the next stage.

Moscow maintains two major military facilities in Syria: the Hmeimim air base near Jableh in Latakia Governorate, and the Russian Navy’s logistics facility in the port of Tartus. The two facilities are of strategic importance to Russia in supporting its military and logistical presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In another context, Moscow renewed its readiness to receive Iranian enriched uranium if necessary, as part of proposals aimed at contributing to resolving the dispute over the Iranian nuclear program.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the Russian offer to transfer enriched uranium from Iran to Russia still stands, while his assistant Yuri Ushakov said that Putin raised the matter during his call with US President Donald Trump, who expressed his welcome for Moscow’s participation in dealing with the issue, according to TASS.

But the Kremlin made clear, in separate statements, that the proposal is not currently on the negotiating table, and that the American side has not dealt with it positively so far. Thus, the Russian declaration of readiness does not mean the existence of a final agreement on the transfer of uranium or the approval of all parties concerned.

As for the Arab track, Borisenko said that holding a separate Russian-Arab summit is still on Moscow’s agenda.

But he ruled out holding it during the current year, pointing out the need to wait for the situation in the Middle East to improve before determining an appropriate timing.

He added that the Russian-African summit was scheduled to be held in Moscow at the end of October, noting the participation of representatives from ten member states of the Arab League, which would allow an Arab presence in the upcoming meeting, according to the Russian Interfax agency.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also condemned the targeting of civilians witnessed in the region, stressing that Moscow is monitoring the situation in the Middle East with concern and condemns the Houthi militia attacks on Riyadh Airport.