8 downfall of its main ally in the region. The stunning rapidity of the rebels' offensive also made it hard for Russia to gather resources to boost Assad's defenses.As Assad has fled Syria and has been granted asylum in Russia, the fate of Russian military bases in Syria now hangs in the balance. The Kremlin's international prestige has also suffered a heavy blow.The implications of Assad's overthrow for Ukraine are less certain.Some analysts argue that the regime's collapse will strengthen Ukraine's position in potential peace talks with Russia."(Assad's downfall) will serve as a major motivator for those opposed to Russia's war in Ukraine and galvanize international support for Ukraine with a renewed belief that Russia can be defeated," Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent.Assad regime collapse in Syria exposes weakness of Russia, Iran, EU’s top diplomat saysIn a post on X, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas described Assad’s fall as a “positive and long-awaited development,” saying that the collapse “shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran.