Eurasia Press & News
Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that Russia has a historic role in Syria’s unity and stability, and in the stability of the wider region. He pointed to an upgrade in economic cooperation between the two countries.
Al-Sharaa expressed hope that Russian efforts would continue so the Middle East can move toward greater stability and development, according to Russia’s Sputnik news agency on Wednesday, 28 January.
He noted that Thursday would mark one year since the first Russian delegation visited Syria after the “new era,” expressing hope for a shift from destruction in the region to stability and peace.
He said Syria has taken many steps over the past year and has overcome several stages and obstacles, most recently the challenge of unifying Syrian territory.
Al-Sharaa stressed that the return of areas east of the Euphrates to the Syrian government is an important step that will contribute to Syria’s territorial unity.
Al-Sharaa arrived in the Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday for talks with Putin, in what was described as his second official visit of its kind.
For his part, Putin said Russia is monitoring al-Sharaa’s efforts to restore Syria’s territorial unity, describing the process as gaining “momentum.”
“Since al-Sharaa’s last visit to Moscow, different committees have been working across various fields to develop relations between the two countries,” Putin said.
Putin said Russian-Syrian relations are developing thanks to al-Sharaa’s efforts, according to the Russian channel RT.
He added that much has been achieved in developing relations between Russia and Syria, and that the two sides have succeeded in moving economic cooperation from a “dead” point to noticeable progress, stressing that this direction must be maintained.
Putin said Russian construction sector workers are ready to work jointly on Syria’s reconstruction.
Discussion files
The Russian presidency (the Kremlin) had said the two sides would discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and developments in the Middle East.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the talks between the two presidents would include issues of bilateral cooperation and the situation in the region.
In a press conference, Peskov said Putin and al-Sharaa would also discuss matters related to the presence of Russian forces in Syria.
He said Russian relations with Syria have seen notable development after the change of leadership in Damascus.
Peskov directed journalists to address all questions related to Russia’s presence in Syria to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, saying the issue falls under its remit.
The Kremlin spokesperson did not comment on the future of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has been living in Russia since he fled there after the fall of his government on 8 December 2024. Moscow was among the most prominent backers of the former government.
Previous visit
On 15 October 2025, al-Sharaa met with Putin in Moscow in his first official visit since taking office after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
During that first visit, al-Sharaa discussed several files, including Russian bases and economic issues between the two countries.
At the time, al-Sharaa said in a meeting with Putin at the Kremlin that the new Syria is reconnecting strategic and political relations with all countries, foremost among them Russia.
He said part of Syria’s food supply depends on Russian production, and that many power stations rely on Moscow’s expertise, according to Sputnik.
Al-Sharaa stressed that “Russia and Syria are connected by serious bridges of cooperation, including economic cooperation.”
He added that Syria respects all past agreements and “this great history,” and is seeking to redefine the nature of the relationship in a new way, ensuring Syrian sovereignty and independence, the integrity and unity of its territory, and security and stability linked to regional and global peace and security.
Putin said Russia’s relationship with Syria has always been guided by the interests of the Syrian people.
“We in Russia have not had any relations with Syria tied to our political circumstances or our private interests. Over these decades, our goal has always been the interest of the Syrian people,” Putin said.
He added that Russia and Syria have had a special relationship for many decades, and that ties between the two countries have always been very friendly.
