Al-Sharaa and Putin Hold First Talks as Syria and Russia Reassess Ties
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa held his first direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in a call initiated by Moscow, signaling a shift in Syria-Russia relations following the ouster of Bashar Assad. As The Media Line’s Rizik Alabi reports, Putin offered continued Russian support for Syria’s economic recovery, but tensions remain over Moscow’s military presence and its past role in propping up the Assad regime.
Since 2011, Russia has been Assad’s strongest ally, intervening militarily in 2015 to prevent his collapse. Following his downfall, Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted humanitarian asylum. Syria’s new leadership is pushing for justice, demanding the return of funds smuggled abroad by Assad and even his extradition. While Russia has not responded publicly to these demands, political analysts suggest Moscow may be willing to negotiate certain economic concessions.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
Despite these talks, many Syrians reject any renewed ties with Russia, blaming it for years of war and destruction. Analysts say Syria’s interim government is trying to balance relations between Moscow and the West while deciding whether to allow Russian troops to remain. Russia’s 17 vetoes at the UN Security Council have further fueled Syrian distrust.
For more on this evolving diplomatic realignment, read Alabi’s full report at The Media Line.
