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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Kremlin on January 28 during the Syrian leader's official visit to Moscow.
Al-Sharaa’s aircraft landed at Vnukovo International Airport, where he was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin before being delivered to the Kremlin to meet with the Russian leader, where he exchanged pleasantries.
Putin congratulated al-Sharaa on what he described as the leadership in Damascus's efforts to preserve Syria’s unity.
“Relations with Syria have deep roots,” Putin said, expressing his keenness to expand economic and trade cooperation with Damascus. adding that "the return of areas east of the Euphrates to Syrian state authority represents an important step in strengthening Syria’s territorial unity."
“Russia was ready to participate in Syria’s reconstruction, reiterating Moscow’s support for the country’s territorial integrity,” Putin added.
Al-Sharaa welcomed Russia’s stance, praising what he called Moscow’s “positive position on Syria’s unity” and voicing hope for continued Russian support.
He said there were “many shared issues that the two countries can work on together,” adding that Syria had overcome numerous obstacles over the past year. Ahead of the visit, the Kremlin said, “Relations with Syria are developing actively after the change of regime,” signalling continued engagement between Moscow and Damascus.
According to the Kremlin, Putin and al-Sharaa will discuss the future of Russian forces in Syria, economic cooperation and the broader regional situation. In an earlier statement, the Kremlin said the two sides intended to review “the current situation and prospects for developing bilateral relations in various fields, as well as the situation in the Middle East.”
Asked about the fate of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who is in Russia, the Kremlin declined to comment.
The visit will be al-Sharaa’s second to Moscow. He last travelled to the Russian capital on October 15, 2025, when he met Putin at the Kremlin.
Since Assad’s removal, Damascus under al-Sharaa has adopted a conciliatory tone towards Moscow. Weeks after Assad’s fall, Russia sent officials to Damascus, followed by al-Sharaa’s October visit to Moscow, where he received a warm reception from Putin.
Russia is seeking to secure the future of its naval base in Tartous and its Hmeimim air base, its only military facilities outside the former Soviet Union. The two bases remain a prominent and sensitive issue in political debate in both countries.
Ahead of the latest visit, Russia’s foreign ministry reiterated its respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, commenting on developments in northern and eastern Syria and clashes involving the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Earlier reports said that Russia has begun withdrawing military equipment and personnel from its base at Qamishli airport in northeast Syria, in what appears to be preparations for a full evacuation of the site.
Qamishli airport has been one of Russia’s most prominent military footholds in northeastern Syria since 2015, serving as a logistical and military hub following Moscow’s intervention in the conflict at the request of the Assad government.
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