Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks at the Kremlin with the interim President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during which the two sides discussed bilateral relations, regional security, and the prospects for maintaining Russian military bases on Syrian territory.

According to official statements, al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow for his second visit in less than four months. The Russian side emphasized the importance of strengthening strategic partnership despite changes in Damascus’s political landscape following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

The discussions focused in particular on Russia’s military facilities in Syria, including the Hmeimim airbase and the naval facility in Tartus – key pillars of Moscow’s presence in the Middle East. The Kremlin has previously confirmed that issues related to the deployment of Russian forces and the future framework of agreements remain under negotiation, though no specific details have been made public.

In addition to military and strategic issues, the talks addressed economic cooperation. Russia reaffirmed its readiness to participate in the reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructure and to expand trade and economic ties. As of the time of publication, no official statements had been made regarding possible changes to the status of Russian forces or timelines for concluding new agreements.

Military analysts note that Russia’s bases in Syria continue to hold significant strategic value for Moscow, providing power projection capabilities in the region and access to warm-water ports – considered a critical factor in Russia’s foreign policy presence in the Middle East. Experts in international relations also point out that al-Sharaa’s leadership is seeking to balance relations with various external actors, including Russia and Western countries, in order to attract economic assistance and strengthen domestic legitimacy. The continued presence of Russian bases is viewed as a form of strategic “insurance” for Damascus amid ongoing instability.

#RUSSIA

#SYRIA

28.01.2026 08:56