Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow yesterday, October 15, marking the first official visit by a Syrian leader to Russia since the fall of former dictator Bashar al-Assad. The meeting, held in the Kremlin, signaled an effort by both countries to reset ties once rooted in Assad-era politics.
Rebuilding Relations After Regime Change
Putin welcomed Sharaa, noting that relations between Moscow and Damascus have spanned over eight decades. “Russia has never linked its relations with Syria to temporary political situations or narrow interests,” Putin said, according to Russia Today. He added that more than 4,000 Syrian students are currently studying in Russia, a figure he said reflected “the enduring cultural and social bonds” between the two nations.
Sharaa, who led the coalition that ousted Assad last December during 11 day operations, emphasized that the “new Syria” intends to redefine its foreign policy on the principles of transparency, mutual respect and national sovereignty.
“There are bilateral relations and common interests that bind us with Russia, and we respect all agreements concluded with it,” Sharaa said during the talks. “Syria is working to reconnect with all regional and global partners, and the priority now is stability in the country and the region.”
Moscow Eyes Economic and Reconstruction Role
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said after the meeting that Moscow was prepared to play a key role in Syria’s reconstruction, particularly in the oil, transport and energy sectors. “Russian companies have been working in Syrian oil fields for a long time,” Novak told reporters, according to Russia Today. “There are fields that require development and others that need to be reopened. We are ready to participate.”
Novak also said the two sides agreed to resume the work of the Russian-Syrian joint government committee soon, adding that discussions covered the supply of Russian wheat and medicine to Syria, as well as cooperation in tourism and infrastructure rehabilitation.
A Pragmatic Partnership Amid Shifting Alignments
The visit comes as Damascus seeks to balance relations between East and West following years of isolation and internal conflict. Syrian officials said the new administration would review past agreements signed under Assad, many of which were viewed as opaque or unfavorable to national interests.
Despite the sensitivity of Russia’s long-standing military presence in Syria, including bases in Tartous and Latakia, neither leader publicly addressed their future. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed earlier this week that “the issue of Russian bases” was part of the wider agenda.
For Putin, the visit represents an opportunity to maintain Moscow’s influence in the Middle East while reestablishing trust with a new Syrian leadership once opposed to Russian-backed forces. For Damascus, it marks a pragmatic step toward rebuilding its economy and diversifying its foreign partnerships.
As the talks concluded, both presidents described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking. “We seek to develop our relations with Damascus on all levels,” Putin said. Sharaa responded that “the path forward for Syria must be one of sovereignty, stability and balanced openness.”
