Moscow: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to visit Russia on Wednesday to meet President Vladimir Putin in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing key regional and international developments. The visit will be al-Sharaa’s first official trip to Russia since he assumed office following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The meeting will focus on redefining the relationship between Damascus and Moscow after decades of Russian alignment with the Assad regime. Discussions are expected to include the future of Russian military facilities at the Tartous naval base and Khmeimim air base, as well as Syria’s position in ongoing regional security dialogues.
Sources in Damascus indicate that al-Sharaa is also expected to submit a formal request for the extradition of Bashar al-Assad, who has been living in exile in Moscow since his removal from power. The issue is likely to test the limits of Russia’s engagement with the new Syrian government.
President al-Sharaa’s visit underscores Syria’s broader diplomatic efforts to re-enter the international stage. Last month, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, urging global powers to lift sanctions and support Syria’s reconstruction and reconciliation process. During his time in Russia, al-Sharaa will also meet members of the Syrian expatriate community to discuss their role in the country’s rebuilding efforts.
