Russia Syria to Strengthen Ties Review Assad-Era Agreements

Russia and Syria have pledged to deepen bilateral relations and review key agreements signed under former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during the first official visit by a member of Syria’s new government since Assad’s ouster last year.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on Thursday, marking a significant diplomatic moment between the two countries. The meeting comes amid uncertainty over the future of strategic military and economic agreements signed during the Assad era.

Assad was deposed in a swift rebel offensive in 2024, despite Moscow’s longstanding support throughout Syria’s civil war. He is believed to have fled to Russia following his removal.

During the talks, al-Shaibani sought continued Russian support for Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction and political transition. Lavrov expressed Moscow’s willingness to assist in rebuilding Syria and said existing agreements and contracts would be reassessed to reflect current realities.

“We are ready to help Syria recover after more than a decade of conflict,” Lavrov said. “It is important to review agreements and contracts concluded under different conditions.”

Al-Shaibani echoed the sentiment, noting that a review was necessary to determine whether past deals were “serving the needs of the Syrian people.”

Russia’s key military assets in Syria—including its naval base in Tartus and the Hmeimim air base—remain in focus, although neither minister confirmed whether the long-term leases, which extend to 2066, were under discussion.

The bases were central to Moscow’s 2015 military intervention in Syria, which bolstered Assad’s forces through extensive airstrikes on rebel-held areas.

“Syria needs friends and partners on its path to stability and development,” al-Shaibani told reporters after the meeting, signaling a desire for a continued alliance with Moscow under new terms.