21 May 2025
Mr. Minister,
We are grateful to Mr. Geir Pedersen, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria, and to Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of OCHA in Geneva, for their comprehensive overview of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR).
Regrettably, the situation in Syria remains extremely tense. The explosive potential there is fueled by the very challenges that we discussed a month ago, and two months ago, namely acute interethnic and interreligious strife, difficulties in State-building, terrorist threats and the violation of the sovereignty of Syria’s territory.
In March, hundreds of people, mostly Alawites and Christians, were killed by radical groups on the west coast of Syria. No sooner had the country recovered from the shock prompted by those events than, in late April, armed clashes broke out in the Jaramana neighborhood in Damascus suburb involving another ethnic group of the Syrian population, the Druze. More than 140 people perished and some 15,000 Syrians were forced to flee their homes.
Those events demonstrate how fragile the current situation is and that serious measures are urgently needed to strengthen interfaith and interethnic accord in the country. Such measures are critical for the Syrian statehood to be built on a solid foundation which neither internal nor external threats can shake. We call on Damascus to pay special attention to that, because this is precisely resolving these problems that both the Syrian political process and the very fate of that country hinge on. A positive example in this regard is the agreement signed between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, still much remains to be done when it comes to ensuring justice for other groups in Syria.
Specifically, this is the goal to pursue for the fact-finding Committee that is tasked with investigating into the events on Syria’s west coast. We trust that the work of this committee will be comprehensive, transparent, independent and impartial in nature and will be carried out in accordance with international standards in order to hold accountable all those responsible, as required by the relevant statement by the UNSC President. It is important that the outcome of the investigation be brought to the attention of Special Envoy Pedersen and the UNSC.
Among other challenges, there is a serious threat emanating from terrorist groups that are still active in Syria. We hope that the new Syrian leadership will take energetic steps to resolve the problem of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) once and for all, as they pose a threat not only to Syria but also to the region and the entire world.
There can be no robust Syrian statehood unless territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country is respected by all UN Member States, including Syria’s neighbors. We condemn Israel’s arbitrary air strikes throughout the country, as well as the expansion of the occupation zone in the south, which has effectively paralyzed the UN Disengagement Observer Force peacekeepers. It is necessary to push for Israel to return to the provisions of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, stop shelling Syrian territory and withdraw from Syria. All the more so since Damascus has repeatedly reaffirmed its willingness to engage constructively with all of its neighbors without exception.
Mr. President,
What we are witnessing in Syria is one of the most acute and protracted humanitarian crises ever. For years, the Syrian people have been faced shortages of basic services, instability and constant threats to their lives. The ongoing economic decline has only exacerbated the situation.
With all the efforts by UN humanitarian agencies, which provide assistance to more than 2 million people per month, this is clearly insufficient to cover all the needs of the population. The situation is also aggravated by the decline in international aid – only 10% of the $2 billion required for the January-June period has been received to date.
We are particularly disquieted by the reported suspension of food aid, including in the Tal-Samen and Twahina camps in the north-east of the country. In the north-west, 42 out of 82 protection centers for vulnerable groups have already closed and roughly 170 health facilities are at risk of becoming non-operational.
This is happening against the background of developing advancements with regard to the Syrians returning to their homeland – the growing number of returnees does not reduce, but rather increases the scope of humanitarian needs. Unfortunately, in parallel with returns, we see also an opposite trend, which is a new mass displacement of people, including due to the aforementioned outbreaks of violence. Since last November, over 674,000 people have been displaced, which clearly demonstrates the fragility of the current situation.
We have taken note of the remarks by President Donald Trump regarding steps to lift all U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria. Over the years, we have consistently pointed out that these unilateral, illegal economic measures seriously hinder the country’s recovery and aggravate the humanitarian situation of civilians. Today, this fact is gradually being recognized within the UN entities. For example, Special Envoy Pedersen recently said the following (and even today he mentioned this topic) – “sanctions relief is crucial to enabling the delivery of essential services; including health and education; reviving the Syrian economy; unlocking meaningful support from the region; and enabling many Syrians to contribute actively to a national effort to rebuild their country.” Isn’t it a mere repetition of what we have said on numerous occasions for the past years? Unfortunately, those obvious truths are only starting to be voiced out loud, 14 years after the conflict began.
We unwaveringly support the mobilization of broad humanitarian assistance to all Syrians, such assistance should be carried out without discrimination, politicization or preconditions, and in line with the basic principles enshrined in UNGA Resolution 46/182.
Mr. President,
Russia reaffirms its unconditional commitment to the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. We are deeply concerned about the fate of the brotherly Syrian people. We stand convinced that Syrians are able to decide their own fate. We want to see a strong, independent, prosperous and stable Syria. To that end, it is important that no ethnic or religious group feel oppressed or marginalized, with each group being properly represented in law enforcement and other power structures. At the same time, there should be no place in the country for foreign terrorist fighters – they have blood on their hands and have nothing to do with the Syrian people.
We do believe that there is no alternative to an inclusive political process led and owned by all Syrians without exception with the support of the UN and in accordance with the principles of UNSC resolution 2254. We extend our support for the efforts of Special Envoy Pedersen. We also deem it important to ensure the universal nature of the international support for the inter-Syrian dialogue.
We are committed to developing multifaceted cooperation with Syria, with due regard for our extensive historical experience and the traditions of long-standing friendship and mutual respect that characterize Russian-Syrian relations. We are convinced that the Syrian people will overcome with dignity all of the challenges they face. We stand ready to establish practical cooperation with Syria and to provide its people and Government with the necessary assistance in overcoming the difficulties of the transitional phase.
Thank you.