Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed his intention to “restore and redefine” relations with Russia, signaling a pragmatic approach to Damascus’ key international alliances following the ousting of longtime Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad. The statement was made during al-Sharaa’s first state visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

“We are trying to restore and redefine in a new way the nature of these relations so there is independence for Syria, a sovereign Syria, and also its territorial unity, integrity, and security stability,” al-Sharaa told Putin.

The Syrian leader emphasized that Damascus intends to honor all past agreements with Moscow, noting that bilateral ties and shared interests remain critical to both nations.

Background: Syria-Russia Relations

Russia has been a crucial ally of the Assad regime throughout the 13-year Syrian civil war, providing military support, air and naval presence, and diplomatic backing. Moscow’s assistance helped the Syrian government maintain control over strategic territories, including energy infrastructure and major urban centers.

For the new leadership in Damascus, maintaining ties with Russia is essential for post-war reconstruction, securing international legitimacy, and ensuring continued access to Russian military and economic support.

In a recent interview with CBS, al-Sharaa noted, “Russia has close and longstanding relations with Syria, which relate to the basic structure of the state and to energy and food, for which Syria depends partly on Russian supplies, as well as some old strategic interests.”

Putin Welcomes al-Sharaa

President Putin welcomed al-Sharaa by highlighting decades of “special relations” between the two countries. He praised recent parliamentary elections in Syria, calling them a step toward consolidating society and strengthening cooperation among political forces in the country.

“I believe that this is a great success for you, because it leads to the consolidation of society, and despite the fact that Syria is currently going through difficult times, it will nevertheless strengthen ties and cooperation between all political forces in Syria,” Putin said.

Strategic Importance of the Visit

Although al-Sharaa and Moscow were previously on opposite sides during Syria’s civil war, the new Damascus leadership has taken a pragmatic approach to foreign relations, including with the U.S., Turkey, and Iran. Maintaining strong ties with Russia is particularly important for:

• Rebuilding Syria’s war-torn infrastructure
• Securing energy and food supplies
• Maintaining Russian military outposts on the Syrian coast
• Enhancing diplomatic recognition and legitimacy

Reports indicate that Russia has continued to supply Syria with oil and maintain its air and naval bases along the coast, while also seeking long-term agreements to retain these strategic outposts.

Implications for Regional Politics

Al-Sharaa’s visit underscores Syria’s broader strategy to balance relations with major powers while consolidating internal governance. Analysts note that Moscow’s continued presence in Syria ensures Russia retains a strategic foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean, while Damascus gains critical support for reconstruction and stabilization.

The visit also raises questions about Syria’s approach to handling Bashar al-Assad, who has been in exile for the past ten months. Although al-Sharaa reportedly intends to request Russia’s assistance regarding al-Assad, this matter was not publicly mentioned during the Kremlin meeting.