Historical background and the present state of the Russian-Syrian relations

This thesis touches upon the Russian-Syrian relations, which have historical roots, cooperation traditions and further development prospects. The history of relations between peoples of Russia and Syria should be considered in terms of centuries, not years. In this thesis, we dealt with the relationship between Russia and Syria before and after the Soviet Union was formed, as well as since 1991 when Russia became a federal state. Relations between Russia and Syria have developed harmoniously from the first years of establishment of the USSR. In many respects, similar views and positions of Syria and the Soviet Union were determined by the existing situation in the Middle East. Therefore, resolving the conflict in that region was perhaps one of the most important areas of foreign policy of the two countries. Syria and the USSR in a coherent fashion advocated radical improvements in the international environment. Syria consistently supported a number of initiatives taken by the Soviet Union, which were focused both on removing the nuclear threat and cessation of the arms race, and on enduring solution to regional conflicts by political means. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union has always been one of the most important strategic partners for Syria, and even a primary military partner permanently supporting Syria in the Middle East. Collapse of the Soviet Union and establishing the new Russia raised a number of urgent questions of the role of the Russian Federation within the system of international relations, understanding of national domestic and foreign political interests and searching for the best ways to ensure those interests. Over the recent years, Russia has paid considerable attention to the relationship with the Syrian Arab Republic. Taking into account the major trends in the development of the political situation in and around the Middle East, Russia and Syria remain strategic partners and continue supporting each other in the international arena.