Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed on Wednesday that Moscow and Damascus share a long-standing partnership built over many decades. Speaking during talks with Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow, Putin highlighted the enduring and friendly nature of relations between the two countries.

“Our countries have developed special relations over many decades,” he said, expressing his pleasure at welcoming al-Sharaa to the Russian capital. Putin underscored that Russia’s policy toward Syria has never been dictated by political expediency or narrow interests, but by “the interests of the Syrian people.”

The Russian leader also noted that Moscow is prepared to hold regular consultations with Damascus through the Foreign Ministry to further strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two nations.

During the meeting, Putin praised Syria’s recent parliamentary elections, describing them as a significant achievement that could promote national unity amid challenging times.

“Parliamentary elections were held just recently, on October 5. I believe this is a great success for you, as it leads to the consolidation of society,” he said.

Despite the difficulties the country continues to face, Putin expressed confidence that the vote would “strengthen ties and interaction between all political forces” across Syria.

Al-Sharaa stresses the importance of stability in the region

For his part, Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa said Damascus seeks to revitalize its comprehensive relationship with Moscow while underscoring the importance of maintaining stability in the Middle East.

“We will try to reset our relationship and introduce you, among other things, to the new Syria. The most important thing now, of course, is stability; stability both in the country and in the region as a whole,” al-Sharaa said.

He described the Syrian-Russian partnership as being built on “significant bridges", including material and economic cooperation, and thanked Putin for what he called a “serious” and productive meeting.

Earlier in the day, al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow for his working visit and was received at the Kremlin for his first official talks with the Russian president.

According to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA, the discussions were expected to focus on bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.

The meeting marks the first encounter between the two presidents, signaling what both sides described as a renewed phase in the historic alliance between Russia and Syria.