Russia has whisked former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to safety following the sudden downfall of his regime. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, revealed in an exclusive interview with NBC News on Tuesday that Assad was transported “in the most secure way possible.”
“Assad is safe, and this demonstrates that Russia takes decisive action during extraordinary situations,” Ryabkov declared, becoming the first Russian official to confirm Assad’s presence on Russian soil.
Assad’s Current Status
However, Ryabkov remained tight-lipped about Assad’s current status. “I have no idea what is going on with him right now,” he stated, adding that elaborating further “would be very wrong.”
This development marks a significant blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had invested heavily in propping up Assad’s regime since Syria’s descent into civil war in 2011. Despite the regime’s brutal track record โ including alleged chemical attacks, systematic torture, and the disappearance of tens of thousands โ Ryabkov affirmed Russiaโs continued backing of Assad.
When pressed on whether Russia would hand Assad over for trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ryabkov was clear: “Russia is not a party to the ICC convention.” Syria, too, does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction. Notably, Russia and China blocked a 2014 effort to bring Assad before the ICC, and the U.S. and Israel also refuse to acknowledge the court’s authority.
Collapse of Assad’s Rule
The collapse of Assad’s rule has left Syria in turmoil, with groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) filling the power vacuum. Ryabkov insisted Russia remains committed to a unified Syria. “We strongly believe Syria should remain sovereign and intact,” he said. He also warned Israel to respect the 1974 cease-fire agreement concerning the Golan Heights, urging them “not to infringe” on Syriaโs territorial integrity.
Interestingly, Ryabkov noted one shared concern with the U.S.: the resurgence of ISIS. The U.S. maintains a limited force in Syria and has conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets.
On a different note, Ryabkov hinted at the possibility of another U.S.-Russia prisoner swap. Referring to the successful deal in August that freed journalist Evan Gershkovich and others, he called such exchanges “a healthy step forward,” particularly with the upcoming U.S. administration transition.
As Russia navigates the fallout of Assad’s collapse, its geopolitical maneuvers continue to reshape the balance of power in the region โ with consequences that stretch far beyond Syriaโs borders.
