President Trump sets conditions for Russia to stop military operations in Ukraine not by 50 days, but by August 8. Brussels does not give up support for Kiev and is ready to pay for comprehensive assistance. Rutte does not give up claiming that after Ukraine Moscow will go to the West.
But some Western analysts are of the opinion that „if the war expands, Russia will no longer play games. It will be much tougher towards its enemies than it was in the war in Ukraine. They still consider Ukrainians to be part of their own people and if you carefully watch the videos of the fighting, the two armies speak the same language”.
On top of that, the fact is taken into account, that “no Eastern European country wants to fight Russia”. Even in Ukraine there are demonstrations against the corrupt Zelensky regime and this, of course, speaks volumes. For now, the Russians are following their military logic and advancing “by the hour” on the territory of the front. The surprising thing is that in a situation where Trump and the world are looking at Putin and waiting for a decision for Kiev to withdraw from “this war is not mine”, Moscow does not fail to play a role in the Middle East, especially in Syria, but also keeps an eye on the situation in Moldova, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Strategically important for the security and stability of Russia.
On July 31, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria, Asad Shaibani, together with the Minister of Defense, Gen. Marhaf Kasra and the Chief of General Intelligence, Hossein Salameh, are in Moscow. After Lavrov, they have a meeting with Putin and Belousov, Russia's defense minister. The significance of this meeting deserves special attention. It is normal for Moscow to prioritize the continuation of the Assad-era agreements in Syria. Mainly because of the use of the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim air base, which are essential for unhindered travel to North Africa, another priority of Russian foreign policy.
Efforts are definitely underway to restore strategic relations between Russia and Syria. According to SANA, at the joint press conference, Lavrov stressed that “we have always opposed the use of Syrian territory as a battlefield for geopolitical conflicts and disputes between different states”. He added that “we support the efforts of the Syrian government to ensure stability in Syria”.
This obviously includes the upcoming elections for the National Assembly in September, which “must represent all segments of the Syrian people”. Lavrov is expressed gratitude to the Syrian authorities for ensuring the security of Russian citizens and facilities in Syria. The conclusion is that for Russia, territorial integrity and political unity in Syria, removing Syria from a zone of conflicts between different countries and support for the reconstruction of the country are priorities. This is what Moscow has promised.
But what does Damascus expect from Moscow? Shaibani notes a “new page” in relations between the two countries. He emphasizes that he has received Moscow's support against the Israeli attacks and notes “cooperation between the countries is not based on past legacies, but on mutual respect, full sovereignty and shared responsibility”. It will help build Syrian institutions and the future of the Syrian people. “A new era of political and military understanding, based on respect for the sovereignty of Syria and its territorial integrity” has begun.
It was a signal for the restoration of Syrian-Russian relations, which will contribute to the regional balance and consolidation of the Syrian state”. You see the protection of its own interests, even with a change of power and the influence of forces that are not friendly to Moscow. Today's Damascus is clearly striving to establish balanced relations with the West while refraining from opposing Russia. Where then do the claims that “the Sharia regime is an American-Israeli agent and blindly follows a pro-Western policy” go?
The question remains whether Israel and the neo-Zionist wing in the US that stands behind it are really trying to incite ethnic separatism and division in Syria through the Druze and Syrian Kurds? Have the Kurds finally severed relations with Moscow? After all, they had representation there in other difficult times. Where is Turkey, which was at the bottom of the overthrow of Assad and the installation of Shaaraa in Damascus, and now sides with the Syrian government and rejects any attempts to divide Syria? Syrian autonomy in Syria is a nightmare for Ankara. That is where information comes from that the US has recently delivered more than 380 TIRs with weapons and aid to the organizations of the Syrian Kurds, who are an American ally and are tasked with fighting the “Islamic State”. It turns out to be revived in Syria.
But here Moscow also talks about the “territorial integrity of Syria”. In this regard, are the policies of Russia and Turkey in Syria converging? After Moscow's accusations that Erdogan has “stabbed Russia in the back by overthrowing Assad”? Do conclusions remain valid in Tel Aviv that “Israel has dealt with Syria and Iran, and now it's Turkey's turn” or are these just baseless provocations? We definitely have to monitor events and always keep one thing in mind - surprises are a common occurrence in the Middle East. And it's hard to talk about eternal loyalty. Just interests. And many players on the ground.
Even with calls to “strengthen Syria” and “to give Sharaa a chance to pacify the country”, as they say in Washington. Although there is a hint of dissatisfaction with his actions so far. Probably also because of his army's support for the attack of the Islamist tribes against the Druze in Suwayda, who are under the umbrella, for the most part, of Israel. And also because Sharaa insisted that Israel leave the territory of Syria, despite Washington's pressure to join in the restoration of the Abraham Accords, i.e. to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Together with Saudi Arabia, if possible.
At the same time, Turkey is preparing to sign a comprehensive defense agreement with Syria. The plans are to restructure the Syrian army and provide training and consulting support. Ankara is also insisting on three Turkish military bases in the country - in Palmyra, Homs and Aleppo. Tel Aviv reports that Turkey is preparing to send troops to the base in Hama and “Erdogan could be a much more serious and immediate threat than Khamenei”.
This is unacceptable to Israel because it would thwart plans for a corridor between the Druze territories and the Syrian Kurds, who have the support of Tel Aviv. Turkey's presence spoils the Israeli game. Moreover, Ankara is preparing to place radars and defense systems in the region, which will allow for tracking and immediate intervention. The opinion is that Turkey seeks to fill the vacuum left by the Iranian security forces in Syria. That is why Israel does not lose sight of Turkey's influence in Syria and bombed the military base in Palmyra, which was transferred under Ankara's control. After Turkey sent a military attaché to Damascus.
And against this background, the number of Western comments is increasing, especially in Ankara, that "efforts are being observed to spread the war to Eastern Europe if Ukraine is defeated". They even point to "the military leaders in Brussels who are pushing Moldova towards war with Russia". They say that "the pot is boiling in Eastern Europe". It is hard to believe, but there is no doubt that "Russia will act more harshly this time if this is how events develop". There are signals of growing tension and even threats from NATO if the situation with Ukraine is unacceptable and Russia declares itself the winner.
One kind, if the isolation and collapse of the Russian economy have not occurred, and China, India and Brazil remain faithful to the agreements in the BRICS. Statements are cited from the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR, which reveals attempts by globalists to spread the war. Hybrid war or a conspiracy to incite tension and divert attention? Who knows in this world of artificial intelligence! However, the war in Ukraine continues, and there are increasing estimates that countries in Eastern Europe with governments in NATO or close to it will actually go to war against Russia. The likelihood of Moldova joining NATO is growing.
They say that this scenario of involving countries like Moldova and Romania in military actions against Russia could be triggered if the Russians take Odessa and Nikolaev. Then Russia would become a neighbor of Romania, and Kiev would not have access to the Black Sea, a strategic priority for the US. Bucharest has already refuted these statements, but the suggestions do not stop. As well as claims that “the EU is simply the political wing of NATO”. Fear protects the vine, but even fear has big eyes. Orientation is difficult, but attention must be under a magnifying glass, because this world is full of surprises and tension, which is difficult to control. A meeting between Putin and Witkoff is coming up, and if there is an agreement, it could also brighten the situation.