Syrian leader meets Putin in Moscow with Russian military bases on agenda

Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow on Wednesday for the second time in less than four months, and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised his readiness to help the country rebuild its war-battered economy.“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,” Putin said.The talks also were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean.Sharaa, who first visited Russia in October, thanked Putin for helping to stabilise Syria.The Syrian and Russian leaders meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Kremlin pool via APHe led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war.Russia, which in recent years has been focused on the fighting in Ukraine and kept only a small military contingent in Syria, did not try to counter the rebel offensive. It gave asylum to Assad and his family after he fled the country.