Putin and al-Sharaa discuss Russia-Syria ties and future of military bases
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa have held talks on bilateral relations, including the future of Russia's military facilities in Syria. The discussion covered the Khmeimim airbase and the Tartous naval base, both of which have been central to Moscow's military presence in the country. Syria said the two sides also addressed broader political and economic cooperation.
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According to the Syrian side, the call took place on Wednesday and included Putin's affirmation of Russia's support for Syria's territorial integrity. The Kremlin said the conversation also touched on trade and on continuing contact between the two countries at various levels. Both sides, it said, underlined the importance of a memorandum signed on August 9 on the reorganisation of the Khmeimim Air Base and the Tartus Material-Technical Support Point.
The status of the two bases remains the key issue in the relationship. Syria said earlier this month that a deal had been reached after 18 months of negotiations to turn Khmeimim and Tartous into joint training and capacity-building centres, with Syria taking control of civilian facilities at both sites. The facilities are strategically important for Russia, which expanded its footprint there during Syria's 13-year civil war while backing former President Bashar al-Assad.
The talks come as Moscow seeks to preserve influence in Syria after the change of leadership in Damascus. Russia's military presence at Khmeimim and Tartous has long given it access to the eastern Mediterranean and a platform for wider regional reach. For Syria, the arrangement is tied to sovereignty, control over strategic infrastructure and the terms of future cooperation with a major external power.
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The discussion also reflects the broader effort by both governments to reset ties after years of conflict. Russia intervened militarily in Syria to support Assad, and the bases became a key part of that intervention. Since al-Sharaa led the ouster of the Assad government, Moscow has been working to build relations with the new Syrian leadership while protecting its strategic interests.
What remains unclear is how quickly the reported reorganisation of the bases will be implemented and what practical changes will follow for military and civilian use. It is also not yet clear how the arrangement will affect Russia's long-term military role in Syria or the extent of Syrian control over the facilities. Further official details on the memorandum and the next stage of talks are likely to determine how significant the deal becomes.
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