Putin Hosts Syrian Interim President in Moscow in First Face-to-Face Since Assad’s Fall

Russia had supported Bashar al-Assad throughout the Syrian civil war as he contended with Sharaa and other insurgent forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Oct. 10, 2025. Sputnik/Grigory Sysoev/Pool via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Moscow on Oct. 15, as Russia seeks to maintain access to key military bases in the country following former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power.

In remarks published by Syria’s state-run Syrian Arab News Agency, Sharaa indicated he is seeking positive relations with Moscow following Assad’s downfall.