Syrian interim president al-Sahraa set to visit Moscow
The Syrian interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, is set to visit Russia, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives the final version of the provisional electoral system for the People's Assembly, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, July 27, 2025 (AP)
Syria's transitional President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, will visit Moscow on Wednesday, as reported on Tuesday by the Syria TV broadcaster, citing sources familiar with the matter.
This follows other diplomatic activities between Damascus and Moscow, with the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani previously meeting the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak in the Tishreen Palace.
On September 9, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak at Damascus's Tishreen Palace, in a meeting attended by senior officials and described as a "new historic phase" for their bilateral relations.
Syria's foreign minister said his country was committed to new relations with Russia based on mutual respect, while calling on Moscow to be a positive partner supporting the country's unity and welcomed cooperation in key sectors. He stressed that any foreign presence must aim to help the Syrian people build their future.
Alexander Novak stated that his visit aimed to strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, and security, reaffirmed "the sovereignty and unity of Syrian territory," and noted that Moscow and Damascus were bound by "ties of friendship and partnership built on mutual respect."
Following al-Assad's fall, the Kremlin refrained from blocking the transition but offered him refuge and has since maintained pragmatic ties with the interim government, retaining its military presence at Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus Port while positioning itself as a guarantor of sovereignty and a partner in Syria's reconstruction.
Back in July, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stated that negotiations with Damascus over the future of Russia’s military installations in Syria remain active as both governments work to redefine the terms of Moscow’s presence on Syrian soil.
Sergey Vershinin characterized Russia’s bases as a “stabilizing factor in the region” and indicated they “may also serve a humanitarian role in Syria,” while adding that a key objective of the ongoing discussions is to “ensure the safety of our citizens.”