Yuri Kobzar8:15 PM, October 15, 2025

The new Syrian authorities see Russia as a partner that will help curb Israeli pressure.

The new Syrian authorities “respect” all previously concluded interstate agreements with Russia and strive to develop “strategic” relations with it. This was stated by new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his visit to Moscow, according to the Syrian news agency Sana .

“We respect all previously concluded agreements and strive to redefine the nature of these relations – based on the independence of the Syrian state and national sovereignty. Syria’s integrity, unity, and security are directly linked to stability in the region and the world,” al-Sharaa said.

Following the leaders’ talks , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak made a press statement . He stated that Moscow wants to work on oil projects in Syria and help restore its energy, rail, and other infrastructure destroyed during the civil war. He added that both leaders had discussed this issue in detail.

“Russian companies have been working in Syria’s oil fields for a long time. There are fields that need to be developed, some that are mothballed, and new fields. We are ready to participate,” Novak said.

According to Reuters , even before the talks, the Kremlin announced discussions on the fate of two Russian military bases in Syria—the Khmeimim airbase and the naval port in Tartus. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that Damascus was interested in preserving the Russian military bases.

At the same time, Reuters sources say Syrian officials are seeking guarantees from Russia that it will not arm forces that supported the Assad regime. The Syrian government, according to sources, also hopes to receive Russian assistance in rebuilding the Syrian army.

In addition, two Syrian sources told Reuters that President al-Sharaa is using the talks to formally request Moscow to extradite fugitive former President Bashar al-Assad to stand trial for his crimes against his own people.

According to Reuters, President al-Sharaa is interested in cooperating with Russia to counter Israeli demands for a wider demilitarized zone in southern Syria. Specifically, he wants to raise the issue of redeploying Russian military police as a guarantor against further Israeli encroachment.

(C)UNIAN 2025