Sharaa and Putin Discuss Strengthening Syria-Russia Ties
The two leaders discussed “bilateral relations and regional developments,” as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest, according to the Syrian presidency.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed strengthening bilateral ties and regional developments on Wednesday, the Syrian presidency said, in their first phone call since Damascus and Moscow reached an agreement on the future of Russia’s military facilities in Syria.
The two leaders discussed “bilateral relations and regional developments,” as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of shared interest, according to the Syrian presidency.
They also “emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and consultation, and strengthening communication between the two countries,” with the aim of supporting shared interests, security, and stability in Syria and the wider region.
The Kremlin said the leaders highlighted the importance of an August 9 memorandum of understanding on the reorganization of Russia’s Hmeimim air base and the Tartus logistics support facility.
Russia was a key ally of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad throughout Syria’s 13-year civil war, intervening militarily in 2015 to support his government. Moscow subsequently expanded its presence at the Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval facility on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
Assad’s ousting in late 2024 dealt a significant blow to Russian influence in Syria and the wider region. Since then, Putin has sought to establish ties with the new authorities in Damascus and secure the future of Russia’s military presence there.
Earlier this month, Syria announced an agreement with Moscow on the future of the Hmeimim and Tartus facilities. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the bases would be transformed into “joint training and capacity-building centres” under new arrangements designed to preserve the interests of both sides.
The ministry said the memorandum gives the two sides no more than three months to complete the process.
Syria has also taken control of Latakia International Airport, a civilian facility adjacent to Hmeimim whose operations had been closely linked to the Russian military presence. Both Russian facilities have remained operational while negotiations continued.
Despite Assad’s removal, Damascus has expressed willingness to maintain cooperation with Moscow. Sharaa has visited Putin twice since taking office.
During Sharaa’s most recent visit in January, Putin said significant progress had been made in restoring relations between the two countries and praised Sharaa’s efforts to restore Syria’s territorial integrity.