Syrian and Russian Leaders Discuss ‘Redefining’ Ties in First Meeting 

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday for the first time since taking the helm of the country, stressing that he intends to redefine the relationship between the two countries while honoring all existing deals, Reuters reported. 

Shaara, a former member of al-Qaeda who led the militia that ousted former Syrian autocrat and Russian ally, Bashar al-Assad, in December, has long said that he would reset relations with the West, Syria’s Middle East neighbors, and Russia.  

Russia militarily supported Assad for years against the Syrian rebels that ultimately toppled him, and later granted Assad and his family asylum when they fled Syria. 

Despite being on opposite sides during the civil war, the new Syrian leader has adopted a practical stance toward their relationship with Russia, analysts said. 

Sharaa told Putin that Syria respects all existing agreements with Russia and acknowledges the bilateral relations and shared interests between the two countries. 

Putin told Sharaa that Moscow is fully committed to acting on what he called “many interesting and useful beginnings,” and praised the historic links between the two countries, voicing hopes for their expansion, France 24 wrote. 

Syria is interested in Russian support for reconstruction and for diversifying its foreign policy, while Russia wants to protect its military bases in Syria, crucial for safeguarding its presence in the Mediterranean and also Africa. 

The future of Russia’s two main bases in Syria, the Hmeimim air base in Syria’s Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast, is still unclear.  

Meanwhile, Syria is also looking for guarantees that Russia will not help Assad supporters to rearm and hopes instead that it will help rebuild the Syrian army, according to a Syrian source. 

Following the talks, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters that Russia was willing to assist Syria in rebuilding after years of civil war, including restoring energy, rail, and other infrastructure. Moscow has also reportedly sent oil shipments to Syria. 

Sharaa was also hoping to obtain economic concessions from Russia, including the resumption of wheat supplies on favorable terms and compensation for war damage.  

Sources told Reuters that Sharaa likely asked Russia for support against Israel’s request for a wider demilitarized zone in southern Syria, including the possible redeployment of Russian military police to help prevent further Israeli incursions. 

One tricky issue is whether Russia will hand over Assad to face trial over alleged war crimes against Syrians. To date, Russian officials have ruled out such a move.