Russian FM to meet Syrian counterpart

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in Moscow today.

The two foreign ministers are meeting to discuss increased cooperation on a variety of regional and international issues, with special attention paid to the situation around Syria and efforts to promote a comprehensive settlement, possibly brokered by Russia. They will also discuss the results of the trilateral Turkish-Russian-Iranian summit in July 2022 and issues on the agenda of the Astana format. The work of the Syrian constitutional committee is also on the agenda for discussion, and the ministers will consider the “state and prospects” of Russian-Syrian ties, and avenues for further cooperation.

Expect that this summit will also include a discussion of the war in Ukraine, and Russian efforts on that front. Furthermore, in light of the Russian fallout with Western countries advising the Constitutional Committee, expect Lavrov to pressure Mekdad to stall the implementation of the new constitution as drafted by the Commission. Mekdad will likely acquiesce, given Syrian reliance on Russian support and materiel. However, failure to implement the new constitution will likely result in an escalation of hostilities in Syria and further isolation of both Syria and Russia.