Statement by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Anna Evstigneeva at a UNSC Briefing on Syria
Mr. President,
We thank Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Claudio Cordone, and OCHA Director of Operations and Advocacy Division Edem Wosornu. We are grateful for their briefings on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR).
The Russian Federation has consistently and unwaveringly advocated for the earliest possible stabilization of the situation in friendly Syria. We note the progress made by Damascus in gradually restoring the country's territorial integrity and consolidating its State institutions.
We are convinced that among fundamentally important elements of Syria’s State-building process are due regard to the interests of all ethnic and religious groups in Syrian society and the launch of a truly inclusive political process based on the key provisions of Security Council resolution 2254. This is what we deem essential for ensuring the stability and viability of the future political system of SAR.
In this context, we support the commitment of the Syrian authorities to ensuring and protecting the rights of Syrians, regardless of their national or religious affiliation. We see this approach reflected in the practical measures that are being taken by Damascus to reintegrate the country’s northeastern region. A clear example here is the fact that the agreements between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as the Presidential Decree dated January 16, 2026, contain important provisions guaranteeing the protection of the rights of the Kurdish minority. We hope that the implementation of these commitments, alongside further efforts to ensure the effective and uninterrupted functioning of State institutions, will lead to the long-term normalization in the area beyond the Euphrates.
Mr. President,
At the same time, we cannot but note that, despite the effective efforts by the current authorities, Syria and its people continue to face numerous problems and challenges, which are driven by both external and internal factors.
Israel’s ongoing aggressive policy remains the principal destabilizing factor in this regard. The IDF maintains its presence in the occupied Syrian territories and continues to carry out raids deep into the country. We reiterate that any such actions by the Israeli military constitute a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. These military operations by West Jerusalem only exacerbate tensions and jeopardize efforts to ensure stability in the country’s southern region.
The situation could be normalized through returning to the implementation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria. We once again call on West Jerusalem to resume compliance with its obligations under that bilateral agreement, and to uphold the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly in light of the Syrian authorities' expressed willingness to engage in dialogue to resolve existing differences.
The terrorist threat also persists, including that posed by foreign terrorist fighters. A further reminder of this was the series of terrorist attacks that have swept across Syria in recent weeks, including the bombings in Damascus. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured. We note the statements by the Syrian authorities regarding the arrest of ISIL-affiliated individuals allegedly responsible for these attacks. We trust that the Syrian leadership and the competent national authorities will continue to respond decisively to terrorist attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. We also reiterate the need for the international community to rally efforts with a view to countering the persistent terrorist threat in the Middle East and beyond, including that emanating from foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).
Mr. President,
More than 15.5 million people – which is nearly two-thirds of the country’s population – still need some form of assistance. The situation is exacerbated by the rising cost of living: over the past year, the cost of a basic food basket has risen by nearly 20%. Despite an expected increase in wheat production, food insecurity in the northeast and northwest of SAR is forecast to remain at crisis levels. Of particular concern is the situation in southern Syria, where, according to OCHA estimates, approximately 80% of the population are in need of assistance. Against this backdrop, as we have already noted, Israel’s ongoing military operations are undermining local residents’ livelihoods and restricting humanitarian access.
At the same time, Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons continue to return home. We welcome the desire of Syrians to return to their homeland, but we emphasize that their return must be voluntary and safe. The areas receiving refugees continue to experience an acute shortage of housing, basic infrastructure, and jobs, with access to healthcare and education remaining exceedingly limited. Therefore, we question the policy of certain European countries that offer financial incentives for Syrian refugees to return home, while doing so before the necessary conditions for their sustainable reintegration are ripe.
We welcome the revision of a number of external restrictions on Syria, including the US administration’s plans to remove the country from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. At the same time, we consistently advocate for the complete lifting of all unilateral coercive measures, which tend to hamper efforts to stabilize the humanitarian situation and hinder economic recovery and investment, thereby entrenching the country’s long-term dependence on foreign aid.
Against this backdrop, we are seriously concerned by the chronic underfunding of the humanitarian response. As of mid-year, the humanitarian response plan for Syria is only 27.5% funded. This has already led to a fifty percent reduction in food assistance, forcing humanitarian organizations to scale back medical care. At the same time, as previously noted, the population’s needs remain unmet.
We reiterate that, to pull Syria out of the crisis, it is essential to ensure adequate funding for humanitarian programs while simultaneously stepping up support for early recovery, which needs to be done in coordination with the Syrian authorities and without politicization. In this regard, we welcome the Damascus “Statement of National Recovery Priorities” for international cooperation in the field of Syria’s reconstruction, which was presented last week in New York on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
Mr. President,
We believe that it is the members of the UN Security Council and the international community that shoulder responsibility for fostering conditions to allow the Syrian authorities to progress with their efforts to bring about peace and prosperity for the Syrian people. We must prevent the country’s territory from becoming an arena for geopolitical rivalry and political score settling among various external actors. We are convinced that all States – both in the region and beyond – must act responsibly while refraining from any steps that could trigger another round of escalation in Syria.
Thank you.
