Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria’s interim president Ahmed Al-Shara discussed issues including Russia’s military bases stationed in Syria on the 28th (local time).

According to TASS·AP, Presidents Putin and Al-Shara held a summit at the Kremlin in Moscow that day. It was Al-Shara’s second meeting with Putin in Russia since he ousted former President Bashar al-Assad, who had been backed by Russia, in December 2024 and established a transitional government.

At their first summit last October, the two leaders fostered a conciliatory mood by saying the bilateral relationship should be maintained, and on this day they again stressed the importance of advancing ties. President Putin said, “In the new reality, above all thanks to your efforts, relations between Syria and Russia are developing.” Noting that since Al-Shara’s first visit to Russia many steps have been taken to restore intergovernmental relations and economic cooperation has begun, he added, “The growth in economic cooperation is just over 4%, but it is clear progress. We must maintain this excellent momentum.”

Regarding the Syrian government’s recent offensive in Kurdish-held areas in the northeast, President Putin said, “We have closely followed your efforts to restore Syria’s territorial integrity. I would like to congratulate you on this process gaining momentum.” He added, “We support all your efforts to the end.” President Al-Shara responded, “Russia plays a major role not only in Syria but also in stabilizing the situation in the region,” and added, “Our region needs stabilization, so we are very grateful for your efforts on this issue.”

The two leaders were also reported to have discussed the future of two Russian military bases in Syria, the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim air base. Ahead of the meeting, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “I have no doubt that all issues related to our forces stationed in Syria will be addressed at today’s talks.” These bases are Russia’s only military installations outside the former Soviet space and have served to bolster Russia’s influence in the Middle East. With the collapse of the former Assad regime, the continued operation of these bases has become uncertain, but Russia seeks to maintain them.

However, some analyses suggest that former President Assad’s current exile in Moscow could become an obstacle to maintaining the bases. The Al-Shara government is reportedly demanding that Russia return former President Assad to Syria. Spokesperson Peskov said, “Former President Assad made no comment on the relevant subject.”

Russia recently withdrew troops and equipment that had been stationed at Qamishli Airport in the Kurdish-held area of northeastern Syria. Reuters, citing a Syrian Foreign Ministry source, reported that the Russian military’s pullout from Qamishli Airport was interpreted as showing goodwill toward Syria and as a signal that Russia would not become involved in clashes between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish armed group Syrian Democratic Forces. The source said the core agenda of this meeting was to redefine the status of the Tartus·Hmeimim military bases, and that issues such as Iran would also be on the agenda.

RIA Novosti reported that Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Director Dmitry Shugaev, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the Russian General Reconnaissance Directorate and chief of the Russian delegation at the recent U.S.·Russia·Ukraine trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), attended the meeting.