Syria’s Al-Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow with hopes of solidifying relations

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow as Damascus’ leader tries to rebuild ties between the two nations.

The trip marks Mr. al-Sharaa’s first official visit to Russia since the fall of the Bashar Assad regime last year. Moscow was one of the most prominent backers of the Assad government, which was toppled by Mr. al-Sharaa’s forces in December.

“We are trying to restore and redefine in a new way the nature of these relations so there is independence for Syria, sovereign Syria, and also its territorial unity and integrity and its security stability,” Mr. al-Sharaa told Mr. Putin.

During the meeting, Mr. al-Sharaa was expected to ask Mr. Putin to turn over Mr. Assad, who has been living in exile with his family in Russia. However, neither leader brought up the issue publicly on Wednesday.

Mr. Putin praised Mr. al-Sharaa’s recent efforts to foster stability in Syria, including holding parliamentary elections last month.

“I believe that this is a great success for you, because it leads to the consolidation of society, and despite the fact that Syria is currently going through difficult times, it will nevertheless strengthen ties and cooperation between all political forces in Syria,” Mr. Putin said.

The two leaders reportedly discussed the future of two Russian military bases in Syria: a naval base in Tartous and an air base in Khmeimim. Russia is looking to keep the bases, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters on Monday that Syria may want them to stay as well, possibly as logistics hubs for humanitarian and military aid.

Despite Russia’s previous backing of the Assad regime, Moscow has openly supported the new government in Damascus this year.

Mr. Putin called Mr. al-Sharaa in February to express his support for Syria’s sovereignty.

Russia also offered to back Damascus diplomatically after Israel bombed military and government targets in Syria.