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German FM Berbock Urged to Address Russia Advises Germany to Focus on American Bases"</strong></p>”>U.S. Bases on Home Soil Before Talking about Russian Facilities in Syria
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, has slammed German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock for commenting on Russian military bases in Syria while staying silent about U.S. facilities in Germany. "Instead of discussing Russian bases in Syria, she should address the American ones in her country," Zakharova said, as reported by TASS.
Zakharova was responding to Berbock’s suggestion that Russia should withdraw its military bases from Syria. "I have a question: isn’t it time for the German Foreign Minister to say something similar to Washington?" the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel.
Earlier, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that the U.S. and UK were preparing terrorist attacks on Russian military bases in Syria to pressure Moscow into withdrawing its troops.
Meanwhile, Berbock is set to visit Syria for a one-day trip with her French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on behalf of the EU. They plan to meet with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the new leader of Syria’s governing council.
"Today’s trip – along with my French colleague and on behalf of the EU – sends a clear signal to the Syrians: a new political start between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible," Berbock said before departing for Damascus.
Berbock and Le Drian are the first high-ranking EU diplomats to visit Syria since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8. Their visit comes after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster after more than 13 years of civil war.
"In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and inclusive transition in the service of the Syrian people and regional stability," Le Drian wrote on Twitter.
Since Assad’s removal, Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have been trying to assure Arab countries and the international community that they will govern on behalf of all Syrians and not impose an Islamic revolution. Western governments have started opening channels with al-Sharaa and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and discussions are underway to remove the group’s classification as a terrorist organization.
Berbock said she is traveling to Syria with an "outstretched hand," as well as "clear expectations" for the new leaders, who she says will be judged by their actions.
The EU will raise the issue of Russia’s military bases in Syria with the new leadership, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in December. He maintained that many ministers believe a dialogue cannot take place without addressing Russian influence, particularly its military bases.
TASS cited sources claiming that the bases "continue to function as normal." Reuters sources also reported that Moscow has no plans to withdraw its troops from the bases. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow is discussing the fate of its bases with the new authorities.
