MOSCOW – On Wednesday, Syria’s interim leader made his way to Moscow for the second time in under four months, with discussions anticipated to revolve around the future of Russian military installations in Syria.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the interim President, previously visited Russia in October. He spearheaded a rapid rebel campaign in December 2024 that successfully removed the former Syrian President, Bashar Assad, from power. Assad had long relied on Moscow’s backing throughout Syria’s brutal civil conflict.

While Russia has recently concentrated its military efforts on Ukraine, maintaining only a modest presence in Syria, it did not intervene against the rebel advance. Ultimately, Russia granted asylum to Assad and his family following their departure from Syria.

Despite their opposing stances during the civil war, Syria’s interim authorities have indicated a willingness to strengthen relations with Moscow. They hope that such an alliance could aid in the reconstruction of the war-torn nation and provide a broader spectrum of foreign relations.

For Russia, retaining its naval and air bases along Syria’s coastline is of vital importance. These facilities, located outside the confines of the former Soviet Union, are critical for sustaining Russia’s strategic military foothold in the Mediterranean. Russian officials have expressed interest in securing agreements to continue operating the Hmeimim airbase and the naval site in Tartus.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting between President Vladimir Putin and al-Sharaa that “all issues related to our military’s presence in Syria will be discussed in the talks.”

In recent days, Russian forces 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.