Syrian president to meet Putin in Moscow as regional alignment continues

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, according to reports from Syrian state media on Monday. The visit marks another step in the continued strategic alignment between Damascus and Moscow, though neither government has yet released an official agenda or detailed statement regarding the talks.

This will be al-Sharaa's second known meeting with Putin since he assumed the presidency following the ouster of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. His first visit to Russia as president took place on October 15 of last year. Al-Assad, who led Syria for nearly a quarter-century, fled to Russia in December 2024, ending the decades-long rule of the Ba'ath Party that had held power since 1963.

Context of Syrian-Russian Relations

Russia has been a key military and political ally of Damascus throughout Syria's protracted conflict, providing critical support that enabled the government to regain control over large parts of the country. The upcoming talks are expected to address ongoing security coordination, economic cooperation, and the evolving political landscape in Syria and the wider region.