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Russian media published details about the granting of asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family by decision of the Russian leadership.

Limits for Bashar al-Assad

• Prohibition on political activity: Assad is barred from participating in any political activity and cannot leave Moscow without special permission from Russian authorities.
• Family personal status: The wife of Syrian ex-leader Asma Assad filed for divorce through a Russian court and expressed a desire to move to London. However, her request is still pending.
• Frozen assets: All Assad’s finances and property are temporarily blocked. The decision on their use remains with Russian structures.
• The situation with Maher Assad: Bashar al-Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, has not yet received asylum in Russia and is under house arrest with his family, awaiting consideration of his request.

We previously wrote that during the annual meeting of the top Russian leadership, at which conflicts with NATO, the war in Ukraine and internal social issues were discussed, the topic of Russian bases in Syria was ignored. Putin’s silence on Syria has attracted international media attention, including The New York Times, which has highlighted the uncertainty over the future of the Khmeimim and Tartus sites.

Military expert Anton Mardasov believes that the Kremlin’s silence may indicate that Russian priorities have changed. Maintaining the bases is possible only in a limited format, which deprives Russia of its previous ambitions in the Middle East. Even a minimal presence would allow Moscow to conduct operations in the Mediterranean and Africa. However, realities have changed, and this format no longer corresponds to Russia’s previous geopolitical plans, the expert noted.

Now the war in Ukraine has become a key foreign policy priority for Russia. President Vladimir Putin is confident of victory on the battlefield and in the confrontation with the West.

The growing popularity of Western politicians who are skeptical about supporting Ukraine is bolstering his confidence. Speaking to military commanders, Putin said that the Russian army holds the strategic initiative at the front, and the flow of volunteers continues to arrive.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov focused entirely on the Ukrainian campaign, without mentioning the situation in the Middle East, which clearly indicates a change in Russia’s foreign policy course. Syria no longer plays a key role in the Kremlin’s strategic plans.

Kursor also reported that Assad gave Israel important information in exchange for his life.