EditPutin hosts Syria’s Al-Sharaa in Moscow: discussions on Russian military presence highlight shifting alliances
During the meeting, al-Sharaa acknowledged Russia's "historic role" in regional stability, a nod that could pave the way for continued military collaboration
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Kremlin on Wednesday, where the leaders were expected to delve into the sensitive topic of Russia’s ongoing military footprint in Syria, according to Kremlin statements.
This high-stakes dialogue comes amid Russia’s efforts to recalibrate its influence in the Middle East following the dramatic overthrow of its longtime ally, Bashar al-Assad, in December 2024.
The meeting marks al-Sharaa’s second visit to Moscow in less than four months, underscoring the urgency for both sides to forge a new partnership. Al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist coalition that toppled Assad, has pragmatically sought to normalize ties with Russia despite years of opposition to Moscow-backed forces during Syria’s protracted civil war. Putin, in opening remarks, praised al-Sharaa’s efforts to stabilize and unify Syrian territory, offering a public endorsement that signals Moscow’s willingness to back the new regime’s consolidation of power.
Reuters reported earlier this week that Russia is in the process of withdrawing forces from Qamishli airport in northeast Syria, a move that reflects a partial drawdown but not a full retreat. Analysts expect Moscow to prioritize retaining its more strategic assets, including the expansive Hmeimim air base near Latakia and the Tartus naval facility on Syria’s Mediterranean coast – the latter being Russia’s only warm-water naval base outside its borders. These installations have been pivotal since Russia’s 2015 intervention, which turned the tide of the civil war in Assad’s favour and established Syria as a key hub for Russian military projection into the region and beyond.
In broader geopolitical context, Assad’s fall represented a significant blow to Russian prestige, compounded by recent setbacks elsewhere. Just this month, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized special forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, another Moscow-aligned leader, to face drug trafficking charges in the United States. This string of losses has heightened the Kremlin’s determination to safeguard its Syrian footholds, which not only provide military advantages but also symbolic leverage in negotiations with Western powers and regional players like Turkey and Israel. As noted by experts in outlets like The New York Times, Russia’s harbor of Assad in exile adds a layer of complexity, with al-Sharaa repeatedly requesting his extradition – a demand the Kremlin has so far sidestepped, potentially using it as bargaining leverage.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to reporters that the agenda would encompass economic cooperation and regional developments, adding, “I have no doubt that all issues related to the presence of our troops in Syria will also be raised during today’s talks.” Peskov, however, declined to speculate on any potential agreement regarding Assad’s extradition, directing such inquiries elsewhere. This reticence highlights the delicate balance Moscow is striking: supporting al-Sharaa’s unification campaigns – such as recent advances against Kurdish-held areas – while protecting its own interests.
Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani and leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group with historical ties to al-Qaeda, has undergone a notable rebranding. His administration has emphasized governance reforms and outreach to minorities, moves that have garnered cautious international engagement. During the meeting, al-Sharaa acknowledged Russia’s “historic role” in regional stability, a nod that could pave the way for continued military collaboration despite past animosities. Putin, in turn, expressed Russia’s commitment to aiding Syria’s economic reconstruction, an area where bilateral trade and investment could expand, as highlighted in Kremlin readouts.
Commentary from regional observers suggests this summit could define the trajectory of Russo-Syrian relations for years. While Russia aims to lock in long-term base agreements – potentially through renewed leases or joint operations – al-Sharaa may leverage the talks to secure military aid or economic concessions without fully alienating Western donors eyeing Syria’s reconstruction. However, uncertainties persist: U.S. and EU sanctions on both nations complicate deeper ties, and Turkey’s influence in northern Syria adds another variable to territorial unification efforts.
The outcome of these discussions remains closely watched, as they could either solidify Russia’s diminished but enduring role in the Middle East or signal further erosion of its global alliances in a post-Assad era.
With Reuters and additional content by g.g.
Caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin (C-L) welcomes Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (C-R) during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 28 January 2026. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
Updated: January 29, 2026 - 07:50
