On October 15, 2025, the marble halls of the Kremlin buzzed with diplomatic energy as Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, arrived in Moscow for his first official visit to Russia. The meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin marked a striking moment in Middle Eastern politics: Syria, still reeling from the ouster of Bashar al-Assad just ten months prior, was now seeking to redefine its relationship with its most powerful former backer. The visit, closely watched by international observers, underscored the complex web of alliances, interests, and uncertainties that now shape the future of Russian-Syrian relations.
According to Atlas Press, the talks between Putin and al-Sharaa were anything but perfunctory. At the heart of their discussions was the fate of Russia’s military presence in Syria—a presence that has shaped the course of the Syrian conflict since Moscow’s intervention in 2015. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that all major issues, including the continued operation of Russian military bases, were on the table. "Damascus supports the continued operation of Russian military bases in the port of Tartus and the Hmeimim airbase," Lavrov stated, signaling a willingness from Syria’s new leadership to maintain at least part of the status quo. He also floated the possibility that these bases could, one day, be converted into humanitarian aid centers—a subtle nod to the changing realities on the ground.
Before the meeting, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had made it clear that the future of Russian military installations would be a central topic. Moscow maintains two significant facilities in Syria: the naval base at Tartus and the Hmeimim air base, both strategically perched on Syria’s Mediterranean coastline. These outposts have served as crucial assets for Russia’s projection of power in the Middle East, and their fate now hangs in the balance as Syria’s new government seeks to chart a different course.
But military matters weren’t the only source of intrigue. Ever since Bashar al-Assad’s dramatic ouster in December 2024—following a swift rebel offensive led by al-Sharaa—Assad and his family have lived in exile in Russia, granted asylum by the Kremlin within days of his downfall. The question of Assad’s future has dogged every diplomatic exchange since, and rumors swirled that Syria’s interim leader would press for his extradition back to Damascus.
Yet, in the aftermath of the Moscow talks, the Kremlin remained tight-lipped. When pressed by reporters about whether Assad’s extradition was discussed, Peskov offered a carefully worded denial: "We have nothing to report on Assad here; we have nothing to report in this context." According to Piri News, this evasiveness left the fate of Syria’s former strongman shrouded in ambiguity. Peskov also denied that any discussions had taken place regarding a potential return visit by Putin to Syria. Still, he noted that such invitations could be extended through diplomatic channels—a typical bit of Kremlin hedging that left the door open to future developments.
For his part, al-Sharaa struck a conciliatory tone. At the start of the meeting, he emphasized the political and historical ties between Syria and Russia, stating, "Syria is striving to revive its strategic relationships with regional and global partners, particularly with Russia." He reaffirmed that Damascus remains committed to previous agreements and is eager to strengthen ties based on mutual interests. These assurances were echoed in his remarks to Putin, where he expressed Syria’s intention to restore "historic and strategic" relations and to respect all past agreements between Moscow and Damascus.
President Putin, in turn, described the bilateral relationship as "exclusively friendly" and praised Syria’s recent parliamentary election as a "great success" that would contribute to the consolidation of Syrian society. According to Al Jazeera, Putin’s words signaled Russia’s intent to remain a key player in Syria’s future, even as the country undergoes dramatic internal change. The meeting, as The Associated Press noted, underlined Russia’s desire to establish working ties with Syria’s new leadership and secure its military foothold in the region.
Yet, beneath the diplomatic niceties, the stakes remain high. The future of Russia’s military presence in Syria is about more than just hardware and bases; it’s about influence, leverage, and the ability to shape outcomes in a region where alliances can shift overnight. The naval base in Tartus and the Hmeimim air base have allowed Russia to project power well beyond its borders. Their continued operation—or possible conversion into humanitarian centers, as Lavrov hinted—will shape not only Syria’s future but also the broader balance of power in the Middle East.
Notably, a Syrian government official had indicated before the Moscow meeting that al-Sharaa planned to request the handover of Assad. However, with the Kremlin’s refusal to confirm or deny such discussions, the question of Assad’s return remains unresolved. For now, the former president and his family remain under Russian protection, a living symbol of Moscow’s enduring role in Syrian affairs.
Amid all this, the Syrian people are left to navigate the uncertainties of a post-Assad era. The recent parliamentary election, hailed by Putin as a step toward societal consolidation, is only the beginning of what promises to be a long and difficult journey. The new government in Damascus faces daunting challenges: rebuilding a shattered country, reconciling deeply divided communities, and balancing the interests of powerful external actors like Russia.
For Russia, the stakes are equally profound. The Kremlin’s involvement in Syria has been costly—politically, militarily, and economically—but it has also brought strategic rewards. As Russia seeks to redefine its relationship with Syria’s new leadership, it must balance its desire for influence with the realities of a changed political landscape. Will Moscow double down on its military presence, or will it adapt to new circumstances by shifting toward humanitarian engagement? Only time will tell.
In the end, the Moscow meeting between Putin and al-Sharaa was less about immediate breakthroughs and more about setting the tone for a new chapter. With both sides pledging to honor past agreements and explore new avenues of cooperation, the stage is set for a delicate dance of diplomacy, power, and pragmatism. The world will be watching closely to see how this evolving relationship shapes the future of Syria—and the wider region.
The outcome of these high-stakes talks remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the destinies of Russia and Syria are still tightly intertwined, and the choices made in Moscow will reverberate far beyond the Kremlin’s walls.