Putin welcomes Syrian president to Moscow despite sheltering al-Assad

Russian leader Vladimir Putin hailed continued friendly relations between his country and Syria on Wednesday as he met Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow – despite sheltering the deposed Bashar al-Assad in Russia.

Putin said that Syria was experiencing difficult times, but the recent parliamentary elections had strengthened cooperation among all political forces there.

He added that the victory of the pro-presidential bloc was a major success as it contributed to the consolidation of society.

The trip marks the first official visit by al-Sharaa to Russia since he assumed office last December, after leading a rebel alliance that toppled former ruler al-Assad after years of civil war.

Russia was one of the country’s closest allies under al-Assad. The former president fled to Russia after his ouster, where he and his family were granted asylum.

According to Syrian security sources, al-Sharaa planned to ask Putin during his visit to extradite al-Assad. Al-Sharaa is accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra.

The Kremlin made no mention of this coming up in the near three-hour talks, but Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russia was ready to participate in Syria’s reconstruction.

“Humanitarian deliveries were discussed, and the Syrian side is particularly interested in supplies of wheat, food and medicine,” Novak told the Russian news agency Interfax.

A joint commission between the two governments is to be established for trade and economic cooperation.

“Today, we also discussed specific projects in the fields of energy, transport, development of tourism infrastructure, health care and the cultural-humanitarian sphere,” Novak added.

Russian bases in Syria a hot topic

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had announced before Wednesday’s meeting that Russia’s military bases in Syria would be discussed.

Putin, who had supported al-Assad militarily for years in his fight against the current rulers, intends to keep Russia’s bases in Syria.

The port in Tartus is Russia’s only base on the Mediterranean coast and therefore strategically significant.

Moscow has also used the Khmeimim airbase south-east of the city of Latakia for its bombers and helicopters.

Al-Sharaa stated that Syria respects all agreements made with Moscow.

“We maintain close relations with Russia, and a significant part of the Syrian energy sector relies on Russian expertise,” said the interim president.