Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with the transitional president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Kremlin announced today, Wednesday, February 12, that a “deep exchange of views regarding the current situation in Syria” took place during the call between Putin and al-Sharaa.
Putin reaffirmed his supportive stance for the “unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Syrian state,” emphasizing that Russia is ready to continue assisting in improving the social and economic situation in Syria, including providing humanitarian aid.
According to the Kremlin, the two parties agreed to maintain communications to develop bilateral cooperation.
Prior to Putin’s call with al-Sharaa, Russian statements indicated Russia’s readiness to support Syria and called for lifting sanctions on Damascus while discussing negotiations concerning Russian bases in Syria.
In response, officials from the interim Damascus government stated they were ready to cooperate with Russia.
The Russian special envoy to the Middle East and deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, stated on Tuesday, February 11, that Western sanctions against Syria have lost all meaning following the change in leadership in the country, even under what he termed the “distorted logic” of their initiators, and he called for lifting all restrictions on Syria.
Bogdanov mentioned that under the current circumstances, it is necessary to abandon the “politicized approach” to dealing with the Syrian crisis and to strengthen international efforts to provide effective assistance to the Syrian people while enhancing the reconstruction of the country after the crisis.
Hours before his statement on sanctions, Bogdanov noted that Moscow will continue to provide assistance to Syrians.
He added, “The events that led to the change in leadership in Syria on December 8, 2024, do not change our fundamental approach,” indicating that Russia will continue to support Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
The Kremlin had previously confirmed on February 3 that Russia would continue dialogue with the new Syrian authorities on various issues, including agreements related to Russian military bases in Syria.
Prior to the fall of the Syrian regime, the new Syrian administration spoke of Russia as a potential future partner.
For its part, the Syrian Ministry of Defense expressed readiness to allow Russia to maintain its air and naval bases on the Syrian coast, provided that any agreements with Moscow serve the interests of the country.
Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra stated on February 6 that Russia’s stance toward the new Syrian government has “improved significantly” since the fall of al-Assad in December 2024, and that Damascus is examining Moscow’s demands.
On February 4, the interim Syrian government’s Interior Minister, Ali Kida, stated that cooperation with Russia serves Syrian interests.
Russia intervened in 2015 to support the ousted Assad regime and its army, conducting waves of devastating airstrikes on areas previously controlled by the Syrian opposition (now the government), resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.