Syrian new regime officials are seeking assurances from Moscow that Russia will not support or arm remnants of the former Syrian regime, a Syrian source told Reuters on Wednesday. The source also noted that interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa “hopes Russia will assist in rebuilding the new Syrian army,” as part of broader efforts to stabilize the country’s post-war institutions.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that Moscow and Damascus have agreed to hold a joint intergovernmental committee meeting in the near future to bolster Syria’s reconstruction process. He emphasized that Syria urgently needs to rebuild its infrastructure, including its energy, railway, and transportation sectors.

Novak said Russian companies are ready to contribute to the rehabilitation of infrastructure that was originally built during the Soviet era, highlighting Moscow’s long-term role in supporting Syria’s recovery.

He added that talks between President Vladimir Putin and interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Kremlin also addressed humanitarian aid, including the delivery of wheat, food, and medicine, with both sides working closely to advance these initiatives.

Accompanying al-Sharaa on his first official visit to Moscow are Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, and a delegation of senior military and economic officials.

Putin, Sharaa reaffirm partnership

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.

Al-Sharaa stresses the importance of stability in the region

For his part, 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.