Putin meets Syrian president at Kremlin for first time since Assad toppled: Footage
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Getty Images)
Today, October 15, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks are taking place in the Kremlin, according to Reuters and the Kremlin press service.
It is noted that this is Sharaa’s first visit to Russia after last year’s overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime, which was removed by rebels under his leadership.
According to the agency, during the meeting, the sides will discuss regional and international issues as well as prospects for further cooperation between Syria and Russia.
Among the topics of the talks are the future of the Russian military bases in Tartous and Khmeimim, as well as an official request from the Syrian side to transfer Bashar al-Assad for trial over crimes against the people of Syria.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated that "special relations" have developed between the countries over many decades.
"Relations between Syria and Russia have always been exceptionally friendly," Putin cynically said during the meeting, given that the Russian Air Force has regularly carried out airstrikes on the positions of Tahrir al-Sham, which Ahmed al-Sharaa led.
Change of regime in Syria
Ahmed al-Sharaa gained notoriety as the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group operating in northern Syria. After prolonged fighting and the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024, he headed the country’s transitional administration.
The international coalition, including Türkiye and Qatar, supported his candidacy as a compromise figure to stabilize Syria.
In early 2025, al-Sharaa officially became president of the transitional government. His main goal was to end the war, create a new constitution, and prepare for democratic elections.
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad left the capital and received asylum in Russia together with his family, taking with him much of the wealth looted during his years in power.
Following the change of power, US President Donald Trump signed a decree lifting sanctions against Syria, which had been in place since 2004.
It is also known that Ukraine and Syria signed a communiqué on the restoration of diplomatic relations.
