Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold crucial talks in Moscow with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to determine the future of Russia’s long-standing military presence in the war-torn nation. The meeting marks a turning point in Moscow–Damascus relations following the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, a key Russian ally who was granted asylum in Russia after losing power.
The Kremlin confirmed that Wednesday’s talks will center on Russia’s strategic military bases in Syria, including the Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and the naval facility in Tartous, both of which have been vital to Russia’s influence in the Middle East since its intervention in the Syrian conflict in 2015. Discussions are also expected to cover other Russian deployments, such as at the Qamishli airport, as Moscow seeks to redefine its military footprint in the region following Syria’s political transformation.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power after leading the revolt that toppled Assad, is making his first official visit to Russia. His new administration faces the delicate task of balancing ties with Moscow while consolidating control at home. Russia, meanwhile, aims to safeguard its hard-won influence in the Mediterranean through continued access to its Syrian bases.
One of the most contentious issues expected to surface in the talks is the status of former president Bashar al-Assad, who is currently living under Russian protection. Reports suggest that Sharaa’s government intends to demand that Moscow hand Assad over to Syrian authorities to face trial for alleged abuses during his rule. The Kremlin, however, has indicated resistance to the move, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasizing that Assad was granted asylum for his personal safety.
This issue has become a diplomatic flashpoint between the two nations, as Sharaa’s administration seeks to demonstrate independence from the previous regime while Moscow continues to defend its decision to shelter its longtime ally.
Beyond political disputes, both sides will also discuss the future of economic and reconstruction cooperation. Russia remains a key supplier of wheat to Syria, and renewed trade agreements could help the new government address severe food shortages. Moscow is also exploring the idea of using its Syrian bases as logistical hubs for humanitarian operations and for supply routes to Africa.
Sharaa’s government is expected to press for compensation for war damage, as well as assurances that Moscow will not rearm Assad loyalists who remain active in pockets of the country. Another sensitive matter is Israel’s demand for expanded demilitarized zones in southern Syria an issue where Russia’s diplomatic mediation could prove pivotal.
For Putin, the meeting is a test of Russia’s ability to maintain leverage in a post-Assad Syria without being drawn into its internal power struggles. The Kremlin has publicly stated its confidence that Syria wishes to retain Russian military presence, but the shifting political landscape means any long-term agreement could require significant renegotiation.
The talks are scheduled to begin around 1000 GMT, and the Kremlin has said there will be no joint press conference following the meeting a sign of the sensitivity and complexity surrounding the agenda.
Sharaa’s visit to Moscow carries immense symbolic weight. For over a decade, Russia stood as Assad’s staunchest protector, shaping the outcome of the Syrian civil war through military and diplomatic support. Now, with a new Syrian leadership in place, both nations must recalibrate their partnership one rooted in shared history but strained by new realities.
As the meeting unfolds, the world will watch closely to see whether Putin and Sharaa can forge a pragmatic alliance or whether diverging interests will drive a wedge between Moscow and Damascus, reshaping the geopolitical balance in the Middle East once again.