Putin hosts Syria’s Sharaa for talks, with Russian military bases on the agenda

By AP 28 January 2026, 9:49 pm

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa pose for a photo during their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on January 28, 2026. (Maxim Shipenkov/Pool Photo via AP)

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visits Moscow for the second time in less than four months, and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasizes his readiness to help the country rebuild its war-battered economy.

“I know that there is a lot that’s necessary to restore in Syria, and our economic operators, including the construction sector, are ready for this joint work,” Putin says.

The talks were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean.

Sharaa, who first visited Russia in October, thanks Putin for helping to stabilize Syria.

He led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a close Russian ally who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war.

The Russian military has begun recently pulling out from a base in northeastern Syria in an area still controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces after the group lost most of its territory in an offensive by government forces.

Putin tells Sharaa that Moscow always supported Syria’s integrity and congratulated him on reclaiming control over the area, describing it as a “very important step.”

“You know that we always stood for the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, and we support all your efforts in this direction,” Putin says.

In the meeting, Sharaa emphasizes the importance of Russia’s role in supporting Syria’s unity and stability, Syria’s SANA state news agency reports. He notes that in 2025, Syria had overcome major challenges, the latest of which was the reunification of its territories, and he expresses hope for a transition to stability and peace, it adds.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting that “all issues related to our military’s presence in Syria will be discussed in the talks.” He refused to comment on reports that Syria’s interim government had pushed for Assad’s extradition.