More than one political party is asking about Russia’s absence from the Lebanese arena, especially in light of the events, developments and crises Lebanon is going through, and where it has allies and friends, while the Lebanese file is limited to Washington and Paris at the international level.
In this context, it was learned that the Russian “restraint” and anger is still continuing towards the Lebanese state against the background of its position on the Russian-Ukrainian war, and this is what some in Lebanon feel who have a strong relationship with Russian officials, at the forefront of which is the deputy minister responsible for the Lebanese file and the Middle East. Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, even Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, did not pay any attention to the Lebanese issue other than concern and fears of disturbances and events arising from the background of the political division between the Lebanese components and parties, and then through the economic and social regression, which coincides with what is happening in Syria, which is considered Moscow’s main stadium in the region, with collapses far exceeding what is happening in the domestic arena, and in light of smuggling operations, which have recently increased and the state’s inability to curb them.
As for the presidential election, according to the information, Moscow is leading a war that is the most dangerous since World War II on Ukraine, and is facing sanctions and estrangement from the international community. Representative Suleiman Franjieh to Baabda Palace, where he is considered a friend and ally, and has previously visited the Russian capital more than once, at a time when its ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, does not stop visiting Bnachi from time to time.
Hence, the Russian position regarding the Lebanese situation is limited to the framework of diplomatic engagement, where attention and interests are elsewhere, but it can be certain that, at this stage, Russia will not sink into the Lebanese sands, after it had previously, and prior to its war on Ukraine, activated its presence. On the Lebanese scene, to return and retreat, and what exacerbated this distance from the local file, was the Lebanese position on the foreign ministry, which almost led to a crisis that was overcome, but its effects are still present.
