Russia has established contacts with the political committee of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, and issues of ensuring the security of Russian citizens are being discussed, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Thursday.
"Contact has been established, of course, with the political committee [of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham], which is now working in Damascus in a hotel. They are meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps. Representatives of our embassy met with them," Bogdanov told reporters.
Issues of ensuring the security of the Russian diplomatic mission and Russian citizens on the territory of Syria were discussed, the Russian deputy foreign minister said, adding that Russia counts on the HTS leadership to fulfill all security promises.
Russia is in contact with Israel on the situation in Syria, Bogdanov added.