Syrian president to make official visit to Moscow on Wednesday

Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa is to visit Moscow on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at reshaping relations with Russia and exploring new political and economic cooperation, according to the government’s press office in Damascus.

The statement, released by the state-run news agency SANA on Tuesday said al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss regional and international developments, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

He is also expected to meet members of the Syrian community in Russia during the visit, it said.

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 Bashar al-Assad.

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.

Since taking power, al-Sharaa has sought to redefine Syria’s foreign relations with foreign and Arab countries.

The visit follows a telephone conversation in February between the two presidents, during which Putin reaffirmed Russia’s support for Syria’s unity and stability, and expressed willingness to review agreements signed with the previous government.

According to Syrian sources, the visit could open a new chapter in Syrian-Russian relations which will focus mainly on reconstruction and economic recovery.