Syria's Sharaa meets Putin in Moscow for first time

MOSCOW,— Syria’s interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, marking his first visit to the country that once sheltered deposed Syrian leader Bashar Assad.

The talks underscored Moscow’s effort to maintain influence in Syria after years of backing Assad’s government during the civil war.

Putin greeted al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, at the Kremlin and spoke of the long-standing ties between Moscow and Damascus.

According to the Kremlin, the discussions focused on the future of Russian-Syrian relations, including military, energy, and reconstruction cooperation.

The meeting came less than a year after al-Sharaa led a rapid Islamist rebel offensive that overthrew Assad, ending more than a decade of Moscow-supported rule.

Despite Russia’s earlier military intervention that had kept Assad in power, Moscow chose not to counter last year’s uprising. Assad fled Damascus in December and was later granted asylum in Russia.

Kremlin officials say the visit reflects a pragmatic attempt to establish new working relations with Syria’s transitional authorities while keeping a strategic presence in the region.

Russia still operates air and naval facilities on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and maintains forces at Qamishlo airport in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), the Kurdish-led autonomous administration near the borders with Turkey Kurdistan (Bakur) and Iraqi Kurdistan (Bashur), an area outside al-Sharaa’s control.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the status of Russian military bases in Syria was part of the discussions.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters that Moscow is prepared to assist Syria in rebuilding its war-damaged energy, rail, and industrial infrastructure.

“Russian companies have worked in Syrian oil fields for many years,” Novak said. “There are existing fields that need development, others that have been closed, and potential new projects. We are ready to take part in all of them.”

Syria’s state news agency SANA said the talks would address “regional and international developments of shared concern” and focus on strengthening cooperation to serve “the mutual interests of both nations.”

In brief remarks broadcast on Syrian television, al-Sharaa emphasized the “long historic relationship” between Damascus and Moscow, highlighting that Syria still relies on Russian technology and expertise, especially in energy production. “We are trying to redefine and strengthen this partnership in a new form,” he said.

Putin, for his part, praised Syria’s parliamentary elections held earlier this month, calling them “a major step toward uniting society.” He also voiced optimism that political stabilization would support reconstruction efforts.

During a recent interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” al-Sharaa stated that his government would pursue “all available legal means” to bring Assad to trial.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow had granted asylum to Assad on humanitarian grounds, citing concerns for his safety.

Lavrov dismissed speculation that Assad had been poisoned, adding that the former president “is living peacefully in Moscow and has no health issues.”

Russian delegations have made repeated visits to Damascus this year, including in January and September, while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani traveled to Moscow in July.

These exchanges reflect continued engagement between the two sides despite shifting political realities.

For Damascus, cooperation with Moscow remains vital for rebuilding a country devastated by more than a decade of conflict.

For Russia, retaining military bases in Syria is strategically important, providing its only naval and air footholds outside the former Soviet Union and maintaining access to the Mediterranean.

Political analysts note that Russia views ties with Syria as a key part of its broader outreach across the Middle East.

The Kremlin had planned to hold a Russia-Arab summit this week, but Putin delayed the meeting to avoid overlapping with ceasefire efforts in Gaza being mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the CBS interview, al-Sharaa reiterated that Syria’s reliance on Russian goods, energy, and food supplies remains strong, and that Moscow continues to hold “old strategic interests” linked to the structure of the Syrian state.

(With files from AP | Reuters)