Putin Meets Syria Interim President to Secure Khmeimim, Tartus Bases
Talks in Moscow focus on Russia's Khmeimim air base, Tartus naval outpost and Ahmad al-Sharaa's extradition request for Bashar al-Assad.
Overview
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow to discuss the fate of the Khmeimim air base and Tartus naval facility, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The talks follow al-Sharaa's Dec. 2024 rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad and Russia's reported decision not to counter the assault and to give asylum to Assad and his family, reporting showed.
Ahmad al-Sharaa publicly requested Bashar al-Assad's extradition, while the Kremlin pledged economic assistance and said Russian construction firms are ready to help rebuild Syria, Kremlin statements showed.
Russian forces have reduced their eastern Syria presence after withdrawing from Qamishli airport, leaving Khmeimim and Tartus as Moscow's only Mediterranean bases outside the former Soviet Union, analysts said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said 'all issues related to our military's presence in Syria will be discussed,' and officials said talks could lead to a long-term basing agreement and reconstruction contracts.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this coverage around Russia’s strategic interests and reconstruction promises, foregrounding Putin’s statements on rebuilding and the future of bases while omitting Kurdish, civilian, and opposition perspectives. Editorial choices—loaded terms like “war-battered,” repeated emphasis on naval/air footholds, and selective sourcing—create a pragmatic, state-focused narrative; quoted material remains source content.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Ahmad al-Sharaa is Syria's interim president who led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted Bashar al-Assad.
Khmeimim is Russia's air base and Tartus is its naval outpost on Syria's coast, serving as Moscow's only Mediterranean military bases outside the former Soviet Union, crucial for regional presence.
Russia has begun a phased withdrawal from Qamishli airport in northeast Syria, relocating equipment and personnel to Khmeimim air base, following the new Syrian government's advances.
Yes, Ahmad al-Sharaa publicly requested the extradition of Bashar al-Assad from Russia, where he was granted asylum after being ousted.
The talks included potential long-term basing agreements for Russian military presence, economic assistance, and reconstruction contracts for Russian firms in Syria.
History
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