Putin sends supportive message to Syrian president, offering cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his support for the Syrian government's efforts to stabilize the situation in the country, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

In a message sent to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Putin emphasized the importance of achieving stability to preserve Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, Peskov noted, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The Kremlin spokesperson highlighted that Russia remains committed to practical cooperation with Syria.

Peskov further stated that Moscow is ready to engage with the Syrian leadership on a wide range of bilateral issues, reinforcing the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

In mid-February, Western media reported that the Russian side was close to an agreement with the new Syrian government, which should allow Moscow to retain some personnel and equipment in the country. The publication emphasized that Russia may retain control over naval and air bases in Syria, which belonged to it before the overthrow of former head of state Bashar al-Assad.

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, foreign minister of the Syrian transitional government, said that the future of relations between Syria and Russia will be determined solely by the will of the Syrian people. His statement came amid a recent telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, during which the possibility of revising earlier agreements between the two countries was discussed.

Following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russia has been actively reassessing its military presence in Syria, particularly concerning its key bases at Tartus and Khmeimim. Satellite imagery from December 2024 indicated that Russia was consolidating military equipment at these bases, with heavy transport aircraft observed loading military assets, suggesting preparations for a partial withdrawal.

Despite these signs of withdrawal, Russia's strategic interests in Syria remain significant. The Tartus naval base and Khmeimim airbase are Russia's only military outposts outside the former Soviet Union, providing critical access to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Therefore, it's plausible that Russia aims to retain a reduced but enduring military presence in Syria, balancing the need to adjust its forces with the strategic imperative to maintain influence in the region.

By Khagan Isayev