[Damascus] Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in a call initiated by Moscow, marking a significant shift in relations between the two countries following the ouster of Bashar Assad. The Kremlin confirmed the conversation, stating that Putin pledged continued Russian support for Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery.
Since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch ally of the Assad regime, intervening militarily in 2015 to prevent its collapse under the pretext of combating terrorism. Russia also continued bombing Syrian cities in support of Assad’s forces, claiming to target terrorist factions. However, Assad’s recent downfall has left Russia reevaluating its role in the country, with new Syrian leadership seeking a recalibrated relationship. Following the collapse of his regime, Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted humanitarian asylum, according to Syrian sources.
Putin’s Offer of Humanitarian and Economic Aid
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin and al-Sharaa discussed cooperation in trade, education, and economic development, following recent meetings between Russian and Syrian officials in Damascus. Putin wished al-Sharaa success in facing Syria’s mounting challenges and emphasized Russia’s willingness to continue dialogue on bilateral relations.
The Kremlin described the call as “constructive, practical, and rich in substance,” but sources within the Syrian presidency told The Media Line that major disagreements remain over Russia’s long-term influence in Syria, particularly regarding Moscow’s military presence.
First Russian Visit to Damascus Since Assad’s Fall
Although this was the first direct conversation between Putin and al-Sharaa, the interim Syrian leader had previously engaged with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and special presidential envoy Alexander Lavrentyev during a high-profile visit to Damascus in January.
During the visit, Russia reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while acknowledging the political transition underway. Moscow also indicated its readiness to assist with Syria’s reconstruction, a key concern for Damascus as it seeks to recover from more than a decade of war.
According to Syrian officials, discussions touched on transitional justice, economic compensation, and accountability for past crimes. The new leadership stressed its commitment to engaging with all stakeholders to achieve justice and stability, a sharp contrast to Assad’s autocratic rule.
Additionally, Syria’s demand for the return of funds smuggled abroad by Assad was raised during these discussions, with the new leadership pushing for compensation for the destruction caused during his rule. Dr. Mahmoud Hamza, a Syrian-Russian researcher and academic, told The Media Line: “Ahmed al-Sharaa’s statements regarding Russia were positive, as he expressed his desire to establish good relations with Russia and spoke about giving Moscow an opportunity to reconsider its policy in Syria.”
The Syrian side demanded the return of the funds that Bashar Assad smuggled and also discussed compensation for the previous period
However, Hamza said, “The Syrian side demanded the return of the funds that Bashar Assad smuggled and also discussed compensation for the previous period.”
Syria’s Conditions for Restoring Ties With Russia
Give the gift of hope
We practice what we preach:
accurate, fearless journalism. But we can't do it alone.
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
Join us.
Support The Media Line. Save democracy.
A senior Syrian official told The Media Line that “restoring relations with Moscow must address past mistakes, respect the will of the Syrian people, and serve their interests.”
Media reports suggest that Damascus has requested Moscow extradite Assad and several former Syrian officials as part of a broader effort to hold them accountable. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied these reports, fueling speculation about Assad’s fate in exile.
Russian journalist Igor Subbotin noted that Syria’s new leadership outlined conditions during the Russian delegation’s visit, including concrete economic support. Ivan Bocharov, program director at the Russian International Affairs Council, said Moscow appears willing to accommodate some of these requests, particularly in areas of food security, healthcare, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
Public Resistance to Russian Influence
Despite diplomatic efforts to mend relations, many Syrians outright reject any attempt at rapprochement with Russia, given Moscow’s role in supporting Assad’s regime. Mustafa al-Nuaimi, a political analyst, told The Media Line: “Syrian-Russian rapprochement will be governed by Western constraints, especially since Russia was a key supporter of the ousted Assad regime and a partner in the killing of Syrians.”
Syrian-Russian rapprochement will be governed by Western constraints, especially since Russia was a key supporter of the ousted Assad regime and a partner in the killing of Syrians
Observers expect widespread rejection of any renewed ties between Damascus and Moscow, with many Syrians expressing a firm refusal to engage with both Russia and Iran due to their involvement in supporting Assad and committing severe violations against the Syrian people.
Russian-Syrian Relations at a Crossroads
Hamza told The Media Line that Russia’s influence in Syria has entered “a critical and ambiguous phase” following Assad’s downfall.
For the past 10 years, Moscow stood by the Assad regime with all its military and political power. Russia was the reason Assad remained in power until 2024. After his fall, relations became tense.
“For the past 10 years, Moscow stood by the Assad regime with all its military and political power. Russia was the reason Assad remained in power until 2024. After his fall, relations became tense.”
He noted that al-Sharaa has taken a conciliatory approach toward Moscow, expressing a desire to maintain good relations while urging Russia to reconsider its policies in Syria. Moscow, in turn, has signaled openness to recalibrating ties under Syria’s new leadership.
Bogdanov’s visit, Hamza argued, was a turning point that helped “break the ice” between the two countries. Discussions reportedly included Syria’s demand for the return of funds Assad smuggled abroad, as well as compensation for the destruction caused during his rule.
Damascus Balances Russia and the West
Despite its previous reliance on Russian support, Syria’s new leadership appears cautious about fully aligning with Moscow.
Syrian political analyst Abdulrahman al-Nasser told The Media Line that “Moscow seeks to maintain its military presence in Syria, particularly in the Hmeimim and Tartus bases on the Mediterranean, given their strategic importance in countering NATO.”
According to al-Nasser, Russia views Syria as part of a larger geopolitical contest, using its influence in Damascus to counter Western pressure. However, Syria’s interim government has yet to make a final decision on whether to allow Russian forces to remain.
Some analysts believe al-Sharaa may use the issue as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with the West, mirroring Turkey’s strategy of leveraging its strategic location for political gains.
A Legacy of Russian Vetoes and Syrian Distrust
Russia has used its UN Security Council veto power 17 times since the start of the Syrian war to block efforts aimed at holding Assad accountable. This repeated obstruction has fueled Syrian resentment toward Moscow and contributed to the international community’s failure to address war crimes committed during Assad’s rule.
With this history in mind, a key question remains: Can Syrians move beyond the past and accept Russia as a partner in rebuilding their country? Or will the scars of Russian intervention make any reconciliation impossible?