Against the backdrop of political changes in Syria, the country's interim president Ahmad ash-Shar’a made his first official visit to Moscow. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
At the Kremlin, he was personally welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the TASS agency. The meeting was dedicated to the historic cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.
According to Putin, relations between Russia and Syria are based on long-standing trust and strong ties between the peoples. The president emphasized that friendly relations have been established between the two states and stated that Russia has always acted taking into account the interests of the Syrian people.
The Kremlin leader also noted that there are not only political but also humanitarian ties between the two peoples. He stressed that there are marriage and friendship connections among hundreds and thousands of people.
Putin also discussed the recent parliamentary elections in Syria, saying that this process serves to unite the political forces in the country. The meeting highlighted that the election results are an important step towards uniting society and achieving political stability.
Ahmad ash-Shar’a called Russia "a key partner in rebuilding the new Syria." He emphasized Moscow's decisive role in reconstructing Syria and strengthening peace.
According to Reuters, during the negotiations in Moscow, the Syrian president also spoke about the fate of former president Bashar al-Assad, who found refuge in Russia. Sources indicate that Shar’a raised the issue of bringing Assad to trial for crimes against Syrians.
At the same time, he is conducting negotiations on continuing the operation of the Russian naval base in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase. The meeting was held behind closed doors.
As noted by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, the talks covered Russia's military presence in Syria and the future status of military facilities. For reference, the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who ruled Syria for many years, collapsed on December 8, 2024, when armed opposition forces entered Damascus.
Asad and his family fled to Russia, which announced that it had granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. The meeting between Ahmad ash-Shar’a and Vladimir Putin is expected to mark a new phase in Russia-Syria relations.
Experts believe that Moscow aims to maintain a decisive role in Syria's new political structure.
