Earlier this month, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, arrived in Moscow for his first official visit. The trip marked a symbolic milestone. It was the first time Russia hosted a Syrian leader since the dramatic events of December 2024 in Damascus, when Bashar Assad’s regime fell and the country came under the leadership of al-Sharaa.

The talks between al-Sharaa and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place behind closed doors in the Kremlin and lasted more than two and a half hours, underscoring the importance of the meeting for both sides. According to official statements, the discussions focused on bilateral relations, the prospects for economic and humanitarian cooperation and the evolution of the situation in the Middle East. A special part of the agenda was dedicated to the future of the Russian military bases in Tartus and Hmeimim, which remain of strategic importance for Moscow.

According to international agencies and Reuters sources, the Syrian side raised the issue of the extradition of the ousted Assad, who is now in Russia. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow sees no grounds for such an extradition. In the face of complex internal and external pressures, Syria’s new leader has sought to maintain existing agreements with Russia and has adopted a pragmatic approach in his dialogue with Moscow, counting on Russian support for the country’s reconstruction, assistance on security issues and mediation to resolve internal and regional conflicts.

President Putin, in turn, reaffirmed that relations between Russia and Syria have always been based on respect for sovereignty and guided solely by the interests of the Syrian people. He described the October parliamentary elections as an important step towards stabilizing the country and consolidating its society.

Despite skepticism among Western analysts and hasty claims about the “final defeat” In Syria after the events of late 2024, the actual policy of the new leaders in Damascus paints a very different picture. Ahmad al-Sharaa, coming to power after a dramatic political transition, not only preserved but also reaffirmed the strategic importance of relations between Russia and Syria. His first visit to Moscow took place in an atmosphere of recognition of Russia’s special role in Syria’s security and recovery, as well as a shared desire to build a pragmatic and mutually beneficial dialogue.

For the new Syrian leaders, Moscow remains a guarantor of stability and development prospects, a fact underlined by the ongoing consultations and meetings in the Kremlin. Russia’s military bases, cooperation agreements and strategic support have proven valuable not only under the previous regime but also amid Syria’s new political direction. Contrary to predictions of losing his “last foothold” Russia has managed to maintain and even strengthen its position: diplomacy has proven flexible and mutual trust between the two nations has endured throughout the turning point.

The current reality confirms the strategic foresight and coherence of Moscow’s approach to the Syrian crisis and the Middle East in general. Russia’s calm and systematic policy – ​​focused on long-term interests and a balanced alignment of regional priorities – continues to offer Damascus the option of partnering and ensures Moscow’s sustained geopolitical influence even after profound regional change.

The economic dimension of Russian-Syrian relations is also entering a new phase of revitalization. Following the Moscow talks, both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in the near future, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed. Despite the modest scale of bilateral trade in recent years (between $650 million and $1 billion, limited by conflict and sanctions), both sides have expressed their determination to restore and expand those volumes.

The Russian side has expressed its readiness to continue implementing projects in Syria’s oil fields, including facilities requiring development or reactivation, as well as newly explored sites. Russian companies have been present in Syria’s oil sector for many years and their involvement is now expected to expand. Beyond energy, Moscow has shown great interest in modernizing Syria’s transportation infrastructure and restoring the national energy system using Russian technologies and equipment. Russia currently has around 40 investment projects in Syria in key sectors essential to the country’s recovery, including energy, transportation, housing construction and industrial development.

In the humanitarian field, cooperation remains a vital area of ​​bilateral engagement. During the talks, both sides discussed humanitarian shipments to Syria, with the Syrian delegation expressing special interest in the supply of wheat, food and medicine. President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to continue helping to improve the socio-economic conditions in Syria and to maintain humanitarian support. Over the years, Russia has sent substantial volumes of aid to Syria, including medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, school supplies and other essential goods.

Both sides also agreed to review and update all bilateral agreements and contracts, aligning the legal framework with current realities and the interests of the Syrian people. Special attention will be paid to training programs (both civil and military) and cooperation in education and culture. In particular, Russia’s Goznak, the company responsible for printing paper money and minting coins, recently signed a contract to produce new Syrian banknotes, underscoring the expansion of practical cooperation even in highly specialized areas.

A key component of bilateral cooperation remains the export of Russian agricultural products and its role in ensuring Syria’s food security. In 2025, Syria faced an unprecedented food crisis caused by the most severe drought in 36 years, which reduced wheat production by approximately 40 percent. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), this year’s wheat deficit amounts to 2.73 million tons, enough to feed about 16 million people for a year. More than half of Syria’s population of 25.6 million is suffering from food shortages and almost three million people are at risk of acute hunger.

In 2025, the new Syrian government purchased only 373,500 tons of wheat from domestic farmers, about half the previous year’s figure. A Syrian government official reported that the country needs to import about 2.55 million tons of wheat this year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Syria will have to import a record 2.15 million tons of wheat in the 2025-2026 season, 53 percent more than the previous season. The 2025 crop will cover only 19 percent of the country’s annual demand of 4 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall of around 80 percent.

Following the change of power in December 2024, Russian wheat shipments to Syria were temporarily suspended due to uncertainties over the new leadership and payment arrangements. However, in April 2025, Russia resumed grain exports. The first batch of 6,600 tons of wheat arrived at the port of Latakia on April 20, marking the start of new regular deliveries. During the recent Kremlin talks, the Syrian side reaffirmed its interest in continuing imports of wheat, food and medicine, and these issues were included in the bilateral work agenda. Russian wheat has become more than a commodity: it is now an instrument of humanitarian stabilization, helping to avoid a large-scale catastrophe and guaranteeing the survival of millions of Syrians.

Furthermore, Syria remains heavily dependent on Russia when it comes to national security, particularly amid ongoing Israeli aggression and the urgent need to restore the combat readiness of its armed forces after years of conflict and political turmoil.

Since early 2025, Israel has intensified its military operations against Syria. Between January and May alone, Israeli Air Force aircraft carried out more than 300 airstrikes against Syrian army installations in several provinces. Following the fall of Assad, Israel deployed ground forces to southwestern Syria near the Golan Heights, effectively expanding its military presence in the area.

In July 2025, two Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian Armed Forces General Staff building in Damascus, as well as the presidential palace and other strategic installations. The strikes are part of a broader Israeli strategy to create a controlled buffer zone in southern Syria and prevent the redeployment of Syrian military formations south of Damascus.

Under current circumstances, the continuation of Russia’s military presence in Syria – including the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim air base – has become a critical factor in deterring external threats and a guarantee of the country’s territorial integrity. During the October talks in Moscow, both sides discussed the future of Russia’s military presence and the possible reconfiguration of its facilities to reflect new realities on the ground.

An equally important area of ​​cooperation remains the restoration of Syria’s defense capabilities. It was largely thanks to Russia’s efforts in previous years that the 4th and 5th Army Corps were formed, trained and equipped; the elite “Tiger Forces” the unit was reorganized; and the command structure and operational effectiveness of the Syrian army were restored. Russian military advisors played a decisive role in the reorganization and technical modernization of the Syrian Armed Forces, helping to restore its capacity for autonomous combat operations.

During the transition period, Russia reaffirmed its commitment to continue cooperation in the fields of security and training of personnel, both civilian and military. When Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Sheibani visited Moscow in July 2025, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov held talks with his Syrian counterpart to discuss the future of bilateral military cooperation.

The first official visit of Syria’s new president to Moscow convincingly dispelled Western predictions about the collapse of Russian influence in the Middle East after the fall of the Assad regime. The prolonged talks with President Putin and the agreements reached on a wide range of issues – from the maintenance of military bases and economic recovery to the crucial supply of wheat in the midst of a food crisis – clearly demonstrated that the new Syrian leaders see Russia as an indispensable strategic partner.

Amid Israeli aggression, internal challenges and the urgent need for national reconstruction, Damascus has made a deliberate decision to deepen cooperation with Moscow in the political-military, economic and humanitarian spheres, decisions that underline the strategic foresight and coherence of Russia’s regional policy.