Syrian President al-Sharaa Meets Putin in Moscow, with al-Assad’s Fate and Military Bases on Agenda

MOSCOW – In a historic visit underscoring a dramatic shift in Middle Eastern politics, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Wednesday. This marks the first high-level contact between Damascus and Moscow since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December and now resides in Russia under asylum.

The meeting, laden with the complex legacy of Syria’s decade-long civil war, is set to navigate a new chapter in bilateral relations, tackling issues from the fate of war criminals and Russian military assets to future economic cooperation.

A Delicate Request: The Handover of al-Assad

A primary and highly sensitive item on President al-Sharaa’s agenda is the formal request for the extradition of his predecessor. A Syrian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to AFP that “al-Sharaa will ask the Russian president to hand over all individuals who committed war crimes and are currently in Russia, most notably Bashar al-Assad.”

The long-time ruler, whose regime was propped up for years by Russian military intervention, was toppled by a coalition of anti-government forces led by al-Sharaa. Following his fall, Moscow granted asylum to al-Assad and his inner circle, who now live discreetly under the protection of the Russian state, according to local media.

This request places Putin in a difficult position. Handing over a former ally would be seen as a profound betrayal by remaining loyalists and could damage Russia’s reputation as a steadfast partner. However, rejecting it outright would strain relations with the new Syrian government, which holds a popular mandate for accountability.

Reconfiguring the Russian Military Footprint

The future of Russia’s significant military presence in Syria is another critical topic. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin and al-Sharaa would discuss the status of Russian military bases, primarily the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province and the naval facility in Tartous.

The latter is Russia’s only Mediterranean naval base, granting it a strategic foothold in the region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled Moscow’s desire to maintain its presence earlier this week, stating that Damascus ostensibly wanted the bases to remain. He even floated the idea of expanding their use to serve as logistics hubs for delivering humanitarian aid to Africa.

However, the new Damascus administration is seeking to reassert its sovereignty. A Syrian source indicated that officials are pressing for guarantees that Russia will not provide arms or support to remnants of al-Assad’s loyalist militias. Conversely, al-Sharaa is also hoping to secure Moscow’s assistance in rebuilding and retraining the Syrian national army under the new government’s command.

Regional Security and Economic Pressures

Beyond the immediate political and military concerns, President al-Sharaa arrives in Moscow with a pressing economic agenda. Syria’s economy lies in ruins, and the new government is seeking significant concessions. These include the resumption of Russian wheat supplies on favorable terms and discussions around compensation for the extensive damage inflicted during the conflict, for which they hold the al-Assad regime and its allies partially responsible.

On the regional security front, al-Sharaa is expected to seek Moscow’s backing to resist Israeli demands for an expanded demilitarized zone in southern Syria. To counter this pressure, one source suggested the Syrian leader may propose the redeployment of Russian military police in the area, using them as a guarantor against further Israeli military encroachments.

This high-stakes meeting represents a pivotal moment for both nations. For Syria, it is an attempt to redefine a relationship once dominated by its former dictator and secure the support needed for national recovery. For Russia, it is a test of its ability to pragmatically navigate a post-war landscape, balancing its strategic interests with the new political realities in Damascus.

 

 

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