Putin, al-Sharaa reaffirm strong Russia–Syria ties during Moscow meeting
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday with Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa in the Kremlin, where both leaders pledged to restore and deepen cooperation between their countries.
The visit marks al-Sharaa’s first official trip to Moscow since his government replaced that of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Putin emphasized that “cooperation between Russia and Syria will bring good results” and announced the joint commission between the two countries will resume work on key areas, saying, “we are ready to complete several projects.”
Accompanying al-Sharaa were his Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra.
Al-Sharaa said Syria seeks to “re-define” its relations with Russia and prioritize stability in the country and the region.
He stressed commitment to honoring existing agreements while redefining the nature of Syria’s partnership with Moscow. “What matters most now is stability,” he said.
Other topics reportedly on the agenda include the status of Russian military bases in Syria—such as Tartous and Khmeimim—and economic cooperation, including reconstruction efforts and trade.
Russia, long a key ally of Assad, continues to play a major role in Syria’s geopolitics, even as al-Sharaa’s government seeks broader international legitimacy.