MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Kremlin on Wednesday, with the future of Russia’s military presence in Syria emerging as a central focus of the talks.
The meeting marked Sharaa’s second visit to Russia since his Islamist-led coalition ousted former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Moscow has since sought to preserve its influence in Syria and maintain its strategic foothold in the Middle East.
In opening remarks Putin congratulated Sharaa on progress toward restoring Syria’s territorial integrity. Sharaa in turn thanked Russia for its role in stabilising Syria and the broader region.
Diplomatic sources said discussions focused on redefining the status of Russia’s Hmeimim airbase and Tartous naval facility, as Moscow proceeds with a withdrawal from Qamishli airport in northeast Syria. Damascus reportedly views Qamishli as a potential pressure point for Moscow and a factor in Kurdish autonomy ambitions.
Sharaa also raised concerns about a possible strike on Iran and called for expanded Russian involvement in southern Syria including a military police presence in Quneitra near the Golan Heights to deter Israeli incursions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks would cover military economic and regional security issues.Syrian sources added that Sharaa sought assurances that Assad loyalists based in Moscow would not destabilise Syria.
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