He called Russia "the second most powerful country in the world" and stressed Syria's "strategic interests" in cooperating with Russia.
“We don't want Russia to exit Syria in a way that would undermine its relations with the country,” he said.
Damascus also expects “positive gestures” from Iran after opposition forces defended Iranian positions in Syria during the offensive, despite Tehran's cooperation with Bashar al-Assad.
Bashar Assad’s regime collapse and flight to Moscow
On Nov. 28, Syrian opposition forces launched a large-scale offensive, capturing city after city. By Dec. 8, Assad’s regime had fallen, and the dictator fled Damascus in haste. The Kremlin claims he is now in Russia with his family.
Ukraine’s HUR reported that Russian forces began withdrawing from major Syrian cities, abandoning military bases stocked with substantial weaponry and equipment. The Kremlin also dismissed Sergei Kisel, commander of its contingent in Syria.
On Dec. 8, HUR announced that the Russian military was removing its presence from Syria, including ships from the Tartus base and transferring remaining weaponry via aircraft from the Khmeimim airbase.
Reuters reported on Dec. 13 that Assad kept his escape plans a secret, even from his aides, officials, and relatives.