Russian President Vladimir Putin received his Syrian counterpart, President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, on Wednesday at the Kremlin, where the two leaders held official talks that covered several bilateral and regional issues. The visit marks Al-Sharaa’s first to Moscow, where former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been residing since his escape from the country.
During the meeting, President Putin affirmed that cooperation between Russia and Syria will yield positive results for both nations, highlighting the strength of their relations, which have lasted for more than eight decades. He also announced Moscow’s readiness to enhance coordination between the two countries’ foreign ministries and to resume the work of the joint committee, stating, “We are ready to implement several joint projects.”
Putin further noted that the recent parliamentary elections in Syria represented an important success that would strengthen understanding among the various political forces in the country.
For his part, President Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria seeks to redefine the nature of its relationship with Russia in line with the needs of the new era, while reaffirming respect for all previous agreements between the two sides. He explained that Damascus is working to restore and strengthen its historical ties with Moscow, adding, “We are trying to introduce the new Syria to the world, and Russia is one of the countries with which we share a strong bond.”
Earlier in the day, Al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaybani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasrah, and several senior economic and military officials.
In a statement, the Kremlin said that Putin and Al-Sharaa would discuss the future of Russia’s two main bases in Syria — Hmeimim Airbase in Latakia and the naval base in Tartus.
According to a Syrian source quoted by Reuters, the Syrian delegation is seeking assurances that Russia will not support any efforts to rearm remnants of Assad’s forces, noting that Al-Sharaa also hopes Moscow will assist in rebuilding the Syrian army.
Meanwhile, a Syrian government source told Agence France-Presse that Al-Sharaa plans to request the extradition of former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia last December.
It is worth noting that Moscow had long been a key supporter of Assad’s regime throughout his 25-year rule, intervening militarily on his behalf in 2015 and helping shift the balance of power through extensive airstrikes — before Assad fled to Russia following the fall of Damascus to opposition forces.
