In a significant diplomatic move, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Moscow on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a Syrian official since the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December 2024. The talks, reflecting a pragmatic reset in Russia-Syria relations, focused on post-conflict reconstruction, bilateral ties, and regional stability, despite the two nations’ opposing roles during Syria’s 14-year civil war.
Lavrov opened the meeting by expressing Russia’s hope that the Syrian people, bound by “long-standing friendship,” overcome current challenges and achieve normalization. Al-Shibani, representing the transitional government under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, emphasized Syria’s desire to maintain strong ties with Moscow, stating, “We want Russia by our side.”
The discussions come after Assad, a key Russian ally supported by Moscow’s 2015 military intervention, was toppled by a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led offensive. Assad, now in exile in Moscow, claimed on social media that Russia forcibly evacuated him from Syria’s Hmeimim airbase on December 8, 2024, against his wish to fight on.
Despite past tensions, the new Syrian leadership has pursued pragmatic engagement with Russia. A Russian delegation visited Damascus in January 2025, followed by a February call between President Vladimir Putin and al-Sharaa, described by the Kremlin as “constructive.” Russia retains a military presence on Syria’s coast, including the Tartus naval base, and has reportedly supplied oil to the new government. Al-Sharaa praised Russia’s condemnation of Israeli airstrikes targeting Druze clashes in southern Syria on July 13, 2025, which killed 12 and wounded 40, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
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Lavrov thanked Syria for ensuring the safety of Russian citizens and facilities, reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to Syria’s unity, territorial integrity, and independence. “We are ready to provide all possible assistance for post-conflict reconstruction,” he told reporters, pledging continued dialogue. Al-Shibani, without naming Assad, urged Russia to support Syria’s “transitional justice” process and announced a committee to review existing bilateral agreements, signaling a cautious recalibration. He criticized Israel’s “interference,” alleging it aims to weaken Syria by exploiting internal divisions, particularly among minorities like the Druze.
“Since day one, we’ve stated no hostile intentions toward Israel,” al-Shibani said. “Syria seeks to rebuild after 14 years of war that killed over 500,000 and displaced 13 million.” His remarks align with Syria’s recent diplomatic outreach, including a May 15 meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Antalya and commitments at the OPCW to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles. A Syrian-Israeli ministerial meeting in Baku on Thursday addressed border security, highlighting Syria’s delicate balancing act.
The talks underscore Russia’s strategic interest in maintaining influence in Syria, where it has invested $1.2 billion in reconstruction since 2015, according to TASS. As Syria navigates its post-Assad era, with a constitutional committee set to draft a new constitution by March 2026, the Moscow visit signals a pivotal step toward stabilizing bilateral relations amid regional complexities.
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