Putin appoints Russian ambassador as new presidential envoy to Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:30 P.M.) – Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Moscow’s ambassador to Damascus, Alexander Yevimov, as the special presidential representative to develop ties with Syria.

On Monday, Putin issued a decree appointing Yevimov, the Russian ambassador and commissioner to Syria, as “a special representative of the Russian President to develop relations with the Syrian Arab Republic.”

The decree, which was published on the Russian ministry, will enter into force on May 25th.

Yevimov has held the position of Russian Ambassador to Syria since October 2018, and previously held the functions of Russia’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in the UAE.

This moves comes a few days after Yevimov said that all reports about Putin removing Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad from his position were false, adding that Russian and Syrian ties are stronger than ever.