Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Russia aims to secure the future of its military bases in Syria. Their October meeting was conciliatory — the first since al-Sharaa's forces toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Key agenda items include Russia's troop presence and the contentious issue of Assad, whom Moscow continues to shelter. Russia's recent withdrawal from Qamishli leaves Hmeimim and Tartus as its only overseas outposts.
Putin To Host Syrian Leader As Russia Moves To Secure Hmeimim And Tartus Bases
The two struck a constructive tone in their previous meeting last October (Alexander Zemlianichenko)(Alexander Zemlianichenko/POOL/AFP)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday as the Kremlin seeks to lock in the long-term status of its military bases in Syria.
The two leaders adopted a conciliatory tone when they met in October — their first encounter since al-Sharaa's rebel forces toppled Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad in 2024. That change of government has forced Moscow to reassess its military and diplomatic position in the region.
One of the most sensitive issues is Russia's continued sheltering of Assad and his wife after their ouster. Al-Sharaa has repeatedly demanded their extradition, a request that remains unresolved and could complicate talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting:
"I have no doubt that all issues related to the presence of our soldiers in Syria will also be discussed during today's talks."
Earlier this week Russia withdrew its forces from Qamishli airport in the Kurdish-held northeast of Syria, leaving only the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility on Syria's Mediterranean coast — Moscow's sole military outposts outside the territory of the former Soviet Union.
Why The Meeting Matters
For Russia, securing legal and operational guarantees for Hmeimim and Tartus is a strategic priority as Moscow's military resources are stretched by the war in Ukraine. For al-Sharaa, strengthening international ties — including warming relations with the United States — is crucial to consolidating his authority after years of conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday described al-Sharaa as "highly respected," saying bilateral relations were "working out very well," highlighting Washington's shifting posture toward Syria's new leadership.
Analysts will watch whether Moscow pursues formal agreements to preserve its Mediterranean foothold or seeks a more constrained military presence. The outcome will shape regional security dynamics and influence how other powers, including the United States and regional actors, engage with Damascus.
Russia was a key backer of Assad during the 14-year Syrian civil war, providing airpower that helped suppress rebel factions. Assad's overthrow dealt a significant blow to Moscow's influence in the region and underscored the limits of its power projection while engaged in Ukraine.
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