Russian forces have begun withdrawing from Syria, with two cargo vessels, the Sparta II and Sparta, departing from the port of Tartus on January 30, carrying significant military equipment.

The Russian withdrawal follows what appears to be failed negotiations with Syria's new interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who formally took the position late on January 29. Al-Sharaa has reportedly demanded the extradition of former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow in December following the collapse of the Baathist regime. Russia reportedly refused the demand to return the former Syrian leader.  

Dmitry Peskov has declined to comment on the specifics of any deal between the two sides and the departure from Tartus of the Russian military, which now needs to access Russian ports via Istanbul’s Bosphorus or around the Nordic countries. 

The Russian foreign ministry later wrote: “During a frank discussion of the entire range of issues in Russian-Syrian relations, the desire to continue to build bilateral multifaceted cooperation based on the principles of traditional friendship and mutual respect between Russia and Syria was emphasised.”

The two bases were crucial to the Russian presence in the region but are also key logistical nodes for its wider operations in the region and Africa.

A Russian delegation, including two presidential special representatives – Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Alexander Lavrentiev – met with the new Syrian administration in Damascus on January 28.

Recently released verified footage showed columns of Russian vehicles moving north towards the port following the “frank discussions between the two sides.”

This marked the first such meeting since Assad's departure. They met with Sharaa (previously wanted by the US for a $10mn bounty) and interim government members, including Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Health Minister Maher al-Sharaa.

Russia's Foreign Ministry stressed continuing bilateral cooperation based on "traditional friendship and mutual respect."

“The importance of the Syrians themselves resolving their internal problems through the establishment of a sustainable political process within the framework of an inclusive dialogue with the participation of the entire spectrum of political forces was emphasised,” it said.

The ministry also indicated a potential willingness to provide "necessary assistance in post-crisis reconstruction" while maintaining that Syria's internal issues should be resolved through "inclusive dialogue with participation from all political forces."

The situation puts at risk Russia's significant military presence in Syria, including the naval base in Tartus and the Khmeimim air base near Latakia.

While Russia could theoretically seek new bases in Libya, such moves could face opposition, with Turkey already reportedly moving Syrian fighters into North Africa.

The withdrawal appears to present two possibilities: either Russia has found the new regime's conditions unacceptable, or the military withdrawal is a temporary measure during negotiations.

Based on the Foreign Ministry's carefully worded statements, Russia appears unwilling to extradite Assad but may be open to discussing other forms of cooperation.