Syrian President visits Russia for the first time since power change • FRANCE 24 English

During Syria’s long and brutal civil war, Ahmed Ashar, then head of the jihadist group Hayat Taru Al-Sam, saw Russia as an arch enemy. Now he’s president of Syria and headed to Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. It’s al- Shar’s first visit to Russia since his forces overthrew longtime Kremlin ally, former President Bashar al-Assad. Putin, after all, was one of Assad’s most law backers. Shortly after the former strong man’s fall, militant groups weren’t ready to forgive. The Syrian people will not accept extending the hand of forgiveness to the Russian government, which backed the killer of Syrians, bombed their cities and villages with its planes, and participated in killing them. The current Russian government is and will remain an enemy of the Syrian people. But fast forward nearly a year later, and the two seem to have turned over a new leaf. Damascus now sees Moscow as a useful card in rebuilding Syria and Russia itself is looking to preserve ties. Speaking on the phone to Al-Shar in February, Putin reaffirmed support for Syria’s unity and even proposed reviewing old agreements signed with Assad’s regime. Russia has also offered Damascus diplomatic support over Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. But key issues remain, especially Russia’s control of the Tartis naval base and Hatmanim air base in Syria. Experts say Putin wants a deal, continued Russian support in exchange for keeping his military foothold. Damascus appears to be open to that, but only on the condition that it serves Syrian interests. And then there’s Assad. Damascus wants him extradited, but analysts say that’s a non-starter for the Kremlin. Handing over Assad could damage Moscow’s reputation.

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to meet with his Russian counterpart part for talks on October 15, 2025, in a bid to open a new chapter in relations. The two will have a lot to hammer out as Russia continues to provide asylum to its longtime ally former President of Bashar al-Assad, who al-Sharaa wants extradited to Syria to stand trial for crimes committed during the civil war. That could be on the agenda for talks alongside questions over Russia’s control of military bases in Syria.
#Syria #Russia #Ahmed al-Sharaa

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21 comments

  3. Syria must be under a lot of pressure to give up the Golan Heights and normalize relations with Israel. Desperation is probably pushing them towards Russia.

  6. Russia doesn’t need neither Syria nor its base. If Russia needs it can have bases all around Africa.
    Syria on the other hand needed and still needs Russia military presence. We all remembered who and how defeated ISIS caliphate. It was Russia.
    Asad government was road to nowhere.

  10. If Syria does not want to continue the same cycle it has for the past 20, 30 40 years .
    It should start by changing his friends. Russia will never be a good partner and friend to Syria.
    Can I even help its own people to be in a good place. Syria should deal with the NATO, the European nation, United States, and all of its Ally. If it does it can end up being as well as Saudi Arabia. Or Kuwait or Qatar?. Old friend to the US

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