Russia and Syria will hold further negotiations regarding the status of Russian military bases in the country, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Tuesday, according to Russian news agencies.

Bogdanov, who is leading Russia’s delegation to Damascus for the first time since the downfall of former President Bashar al-Assad, emphasized that discussions on the issue require additional dialogue. "This issue requires additional negotiations," he told journalists, as reported by TASS. However, he clarified that there have been no changes to the presence of Russian military bases in Syria so far.

Russia has long been a key ally of Assad, providing military and political support to his regime throughout the Syrian civil war. Despite Assad’s ousting, Moscow aims to maintain its strategic foothold in Syria, particularly through its naval facility in Tartous and the Hmeimim air base near Latakia.

Meanwhile, Syria’s new ruling administration confirmed that talks also focused on transitional justice mechanisms. In a statement on Wednesday, Syrian officials stressed the importance of addressing past injustices and ensuring accountability for victims of Assad’s regime. "Restoring relations must address past mistakes, respect the will of the Syrian people, and serve their interests," the statement read.

The negotiations mark a significant phase in post-Assad Syria as the new leadership navigates relations with Russia while seeking to rebuild the country’s political and judicial framework.