All three options (reducing the operational terms of both bases from 49 to 5-10 years; Russia's withdrawal from Khmeimim, keeping the limited naval base in Tartus, like in the Soviet times; Moscow's refusal of both bases in favor of "special agreements" with Damascus on the use of Syria's transport infrastructure by the Russian military) are likely to be discussed.
Yet, a most negative scenario for Russia also couldn't be ruled out, whereas the bases would be kept until the summer of 2025 only. It could be combined with the third scenario, which is not the worst option for Moscow, but maybe not.
Much here depends on the effectiveness of the Western pressure on the new Syrian authorities. And not solely by the US (not by chance, Washington "suspended" the lift of sanctions till July 2025), but also the Europeans (Germany, France), who want to "win back" after the previous "fell out" of the Syrian crisis due to the successful actions of Iran and Russia in 2012-2024.
I assume that the issue of preserving the bases in Syria is likely to be discussed at a possible Putin and Trump meeting. Although, as mentioned in my previous comments, Syria is not among Washington's top priorities in the Middle East.
All three options (reducing the operational terms of both bases from 49 to 5-10 years; Russia's withdrawal from Khmeimim, keeping the limited naval base in Tartus, like in the Soviet times; Moscow's refusal of both bases in favor of "special agreements" with Damascus on the use of Syria's transport infrastructure by the Russian military) are likely to be discussed.
Yet, a most negative scenario for Russia also couldn't be ruled out, whereas the bases would be kept until the summer of 2025 only. It could be combined with the third scenario, which is not the worst option for Moscow, but maybe not.
Much here depends on the effectiveness of the Western pressure on the new Syrian authorities. And not solely by the US (not by chance, Washington "suspended" the lift of sanctions till July 2025), but also the Europeans (Germany, France), who want to "win back" after the previous "fell out" of the Syrian crisis due to the successful actions of Iran and Russia in 2012-2024.
I assume that the issue of preserving the bases in Syria is likely to be discussed at a possible Putin and Trump meeting. Although, as mentioned in my previous comments, Syria is not among Washington's top priorities in the Middle East.
Right now the digital security needs of Russians and Ukrainians are very different, and they lead to very different caveats about how to mitigate the risks associated with using Telegram. For Ukrainians in Ukraine, whose physical safety is at risk because they are in a war zone, digital security is probably not their highest priority. They may value access to news and communication with their loved ones over making sure that all of their communications are encrypted in such a manner that they are indecipherable to Telegram, its employees, or governments with court orders. Crude oil prices edged higher after tumbling on Thursday, when U.S. West Texas intermediate slid back below $110 per barrel after topping as much as $130 a barrel in recent sessions. Still, gas prices at the pump rose to fresh highs. Investors took profits on Friday while they could ahead of the weekend, explained Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report Research. Saturday and Sunday could easily bring unfortunate news on the war front—and traders would rather be able to sell any recent winnings at Friday’s earlier prices than wait for a potentially lower price at Monday’s open. On Feb. 27, however, he admitted from his Russian-language account that "Telegram channels are increasingly becoming a source of unverified information related to Ukrainian events." Stocks dropped on Friday afternoon, as gains made earlier in the day on hopes for diplomatic progress between Russia and Ukraine turned to losses. Technology stocks were hit particularly hard by higher bond yields.
from us
