Russia’s President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, marking the first direct communication between the two since Sharaa’s forces overthrew Moscow’s ally, Bashar al-Assad, in December.
Russia aims to maintain control over its naval and air bases in Syria under the new leadership, which took power after Assad fled to Moscow following 13 years of civil war in which Russian forces had intervened on his behalf.
The Kremlin described the phone call as constructive, with Putin reaffirming Moscow’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
No details were provided regarding discussions about the Russian military bases in northwest Syria. Losing control of the Tartous naval base and Hmeimim air base would significantly impact Russia’s ability to project power in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The Syrian presidency stated that Putin had invited Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to visit Moscow. It also mentioned that Putin informed Sharaa that Moscow was prepared to reconsider the agreements made between Russia and Syria under Assad.
In late January, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov visited Damascus. A Syrian source familiar with the talks revealed that Sharaa had requested Moscow to hand over Assad.
