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Russian President Vladimir Putin has held his first official call with Syria’s new leader following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in December, rebels with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with previous ties to al-Qaeda, launched a coordinated offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime, ending his family’s five-decade rule over Syria. Led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Julani), a former high-ranking official of al-Qaeda who defected, HTS capitalized on Assad’s deteriorating military strength and widespread public discontent to seize control of key cities. As his government collapsed, Assad fled to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft, reportedly taking billions of dollars in state funds, and has since been residing in Russia with his family under the protection of the Kremlin. Despite efforts to rebrand itself as a nationalist opposition force, HTS has been scrutinized for its extremist ties, raising concerns among some countries about the group’s true agenda.
What’s going on now: According to the Kremlin, President Putin spoke with Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in what was described as a “constructive and business-like” conversation focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation. The two leaders discussed key areas such as trade, economic ties, and education, while also addressing broader strategic interests, including the future of Russia’s military presence in Syria. Al-Sharaa acknowledged the deep ties between the two nations, stating that Syria remains open to cooperation with all parties in a way that serves the interests of its people and ensures national stability. The Kremlin also confirmed that Putin invited Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, to visit Moscow for further discussions.
A key issue in the talks was Russia’s continued military presence in Syria, particularly the fate of its airbase in Hmeimim and its naval facility in Tartus—Moscow’s only military bases outside of Russia. Following Assad’s removal, Russia consolidated its forces at Hmeimim while awaiting negotiations with Syria’s new government. While the new authorities recently canceled a Russian company’s contract to modernize the Tartus commercial port, this decision did not directly impact the naval base, which operates under a separate agreement.
Reports suggest that Syria’s leadership is weighing its options regarding Russia’s long-term military role, with some factions pushing for limitations on Moscow’s influence. However, Russia remains determined to secure its strategic foothold in the country, with Putin previously suggesting that its bases could be used for humanitarian aid deliveries as a way to maintain a presence.
This all comes as Syria’s new leadership has previously demanded the handover of Bashar al-Assad from Russia as a condition for establishing formal relations. Following Assad’s ouster in December, Moscow granted him asylum, a move that angered many Syrians, including the new ruling coalition. Some members of Syria’s interim government have insisted that Assad must face justice for his role in the brutal war, and there were unconfirmed reports that Damascus had made his extradition a prerequisite for allowing Russia to maintain its military bases in the country. Despite this, the Kremlin has remained tight-lipped on the matter, with Russian officials avoiding direct comments on whether Assad’s fate was a point of contention in negotiations.
