Russian President, Vladimir Putin has emphasized his readiness to help Syria to rebuild its war-battered economy.
This comes as Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow today, Wednesday, December 28, 2026, for the second time in less than four months.
“I know that there is a lot that’s necessary to restore in Syria, and our economic operators, including the construction sector, are ready for this joint work.”
Vladimir Putin
Putin said that Russia has supported Syria’s government’s effort to restore control over its entire territory, including areas controlled by the Kurds.
“We have closely followed your efforts to restore Syria’s territorial integrity, and I would like to congratulate you on this process gaining speed.
“You know that we always stood for the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, the country’s integrity, and we support all your efforts in this direction.”
Vladimir Putin
He noted that much has been done to restore relations between Russia and Syria since the last visit of the country’s President in October, saying, “We have managed to give a start to cooperation in the economic sphere.”
He asserted that relations between Russia and Syria “haven’t hit any rough patches” since Damascus’ independence during the World War II.
“All these years, there have never been any dark pages at the interstate level. But now, in the new realities, thanks, among other things, and primarily to your efforts, relations between Syria and Russia are developing.”
Vladimir Putin
He added that Russia and Syria have “planned good events” in industry, sports, medicine and construction.
Al-Sharaa thanked Putin for helping to stabilize Syria.
During al-Sharaa’s previous visit, Putin said that Moscow was always guided by the Syrian people’s interests in relations with Damascus. In turn, the Syrian leader said he was willing “to restart the entire complex of relations” between Moscow and Damascus.In his words, Russia and Syria “are connected by solid bridges of cooperation, including material cooperation,” and, therefore, Moscow plays a serious role on the Arab Republic’s political transformation. In his words, Syria relies on multiple achievements that Russia helped to make.
Future of Russian Military Bases In Syria To Be Discussed
The talks also were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean.
For the Kremlin, it’s essential to keep its naval and air bases on Syria’s coast, the only such outposts outside the former Soviet Union that are crucial for maintaining Russia’s military presence in the Mediterranean.
Russian authorities have voiced hope for negotiating a deal to maintain the Hmeimim air base and the naval outpost in Tartus.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting that “all issues related to our military’s presence in Syria will be discussed in the talks.”
Al-Sharaa led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war.
Russian forces recently have begun pulling out of positions in northeastern Syria in an area still controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces after the group lost most of its territory in an offensive by government forces.
Russia, which in recent years has been focused on the fighting in Ukraine and kept only a small military contingent in Syria, didn’t try to counter the rebel offensive. It gave asylum to Assad and his family after he fled the country.
Despite having been on opposite sides during the civil war, the interim government in Damascus has signaled readiness to develop ties with Moscow in apparent hopes it could help rebuild the war-shattered country and offer a way to diversify its foreign policy.
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