Syrian president calls to 'redefine' Russia–Syria ties in first Moscow visit

The former Al-Qaeda chief vowed to respect all past agreements with Russia, hailing 'serious bridges of cooperation' between the two countries  

News Desk  - The Cradle 

Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s self-appointed President and former Al-Qaeda chief, visited Moscow on 15 October and held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin – marking his first visit to the country. 

Among the topics of discussion was Russia’s military bases in Syria. 

“We respect all previous agreements with Russia, and we are trying to redefine the nature of these relations, with the aim of ensuring Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security stability, which is linked to regional and global stability,” Sharaa said during his meeting with Putin. 

“There are long-standing historical ties between Syria and Russia, as well as bilateral relations and shared interests,” Sharaa added, noting that “many strategic and political relations, both regional and international, are linked to Russia.”

He went on to say that Syria and Russia “are linked by serious bridges of cooperation, including economic cooperation.”

“Our two countries have enjoyed a special relationship for decades. We are very happy to see you. Welcome to Russia,” Putin told Sharaa. 

The Russian president described Syria’s recent parliamentary elections as a “great success.”

Rather than allow the Syrian public to vote in the election to form a new parliament, Sharaa himself appointed 70 of the 210 members of parliament. The remaining 140 were elected by subcommittees of Syria’s Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections, which Sharaa also appointed in June.

During the meeting, Putin also expressed “readiness to hold regular consultations with Damascus through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Moscow and Damascus have agreed to hold a joint government committee meeting in the near future.

“We have a common understanding that Syria currently needs reconstruction. It has a lot of destroyed infrastructure, including energy, railway, and transportation infrastructure. Russia can provide support. Our companies are also interested in developing the transportation infrastructure and rehabilitating the energy sector, which was built during the Soviet era,” he told reporters. 

The Kremlin had announced before the Sharaa–Putin meeting that the topic of Russia’s bases in Syria would be addressed. 

Chief among these bases is the Hmeimim Air Base located in the coastal Latakia region.  

Syrian sources cited by Reuters said that Sharaa was expected to demand that Moscow hand over Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad, who has now been residing in the Russian capital since the fall of his government last year. 

A Russian official had previously said that Moscow would not agree to hand over Assad.

The Syrian source also said Damascus is “seeking guarantees that Russia will not help rearm remnants of Assad’s forces,” adding that ”Sharaa is hoping that Russia might also help rebuild the Syrian army.”

Russia was a major backer of the former Syrian government, and carried out strikes targeting many of the groups, which are now a part of the new Syrian army and security apparatus, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former Al-Qaeda affiliate that toppled Assad’s government. 

Sharaa led HTS and its precursor, the Nusra Front. Before that, he had served as deputy to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. 

Despite this, relations between Russia and the new, extremist-led Syrian state have been positive. 

Sharaa alleged on 12 September that he and his forces took power in Damascus as part of an agreement with Russia.

The president told Al-Ikhbariya TV channel that his forces had begun secret negotiations with Russia during the 11-day offensive that toppled the former government. 

Earlier this year, it was reported that Syria was receiving currency shipments from Moscow as part of a deal signed with the Assad government.