The Jordanian government had not commented on Russia’s military involvement in Syria, and local observers predict that an official, clearly stated position is unlikely anytime soon. Attempts by Al-Monitor to obtain a response from the government’s spokesperson, Mohammed al-Momani, have been unsuccessful.

On Oct. 5, less than a week after Russian fighter jets launched their first airstrikes against targets on Sept. 30, King Abdullah met with Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council. According to the Jordan Times, a royal court statement said the meeting focused on the depth of Jordanian-Russian relations and bilateral economic relations. The newspaper also reported that the king had emphasized “the importance of supporting regional and international efforts to neutralize the dangers threatening global security and stability,” while Matviyenko stressed that “Russia has exerted efforts to arrive at a political solution in Syria and the importance of international cooperation against Daesh [the Islamic State, IS].”

Unlike Egypt, whose foreign minister, Sameh Shukri, has voiced his country's support for the Russian intervention, Jordan will be careful not to upset its two main allies, Saudi Arabia and the United States, which are wary of Moscow’s latest moves. Shukri told Al-Arabiya TV on Oct. 4, “The information available to Egypt through direct contact with the Russian side affirms Russia’s eagerness to counter terrorism and confine its spread in Syria and that the reason for its intervention is to deal a fatal blow to IS.”

Political analyst Fahd Al-Khitan told Al-Monitor that Jordan will remain neutral on this issue. “Jordan will not sacrifice its good ties with Russia over the Syrian issue, especially since Russian support of the Damascus regime is nothing new,” he said. According to Khitan, Jordan had previous knowledge of Russia’s intention to intervene in Syria, “just as other regional and international powers had earlier knowledge,” but he added, “Our calculations differ from those of Washington and Riyadh, and the fact that we are allies with both does not mean that we have to adopt the same position,”