Putin Meets Syria’s New Foreign Minister in Moscow, Invites President Al-Sharaa to Upcoming Russia-Arab League Summit

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held high-level talks in Moscow on Thursday with Asaad Al-Shibani, Syria’s newly appointed foreign minister, marking the first official visit by a top Syrian official since the ousting of longtime Syrian leader Bashar Assad in December 2024.

The visit signals Russia’s efforts to maintain strong diplomatic relations with Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, despite the fall of Assad, who was a close Russian ally. Assad fled Syria after opposition forces seized Damascus, and he is currently in asylum in Russia.

During the meeting, Lavrov formally invited President Al-Sharaa to attend the first-ever Russia–Arab League Summit, scheduled for October 15 in Moscow.

“Of course, we hope that President Al-Sharaa will be able to take part in the first Russia-Arab League summit,” Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Shibani.

The summit is seen as a critical platform for resetting Russia’s relations with the broader Arab world amid changing dynamics in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Shibani described his visit to Moscow as a “necessary dialogue” to redefine bilateral ties in the post-Assad era.

“We are here to begin an essential discussion — one that learns from the past to chart the future,” Shibani said.

He announced that Syria and Russia had agreed to form two joint committees to reassess and potentially renegotiate previous agreements and military arrangements made under Assad’s regime.

Shibani also emphasized Syria’s aspirations for a “united, strong nation” and expressed hope that Russia would support Syria’s new leadership in rebuilding and redefining its geopolitical role.

Despite the regime change, Lavrov thanked Syria’s current authorities for continuing to secure two key Russian military bases in Syria, underlining the importance of their long-term strategic partnership.

Lavrov also reiterated Russia’s stance on lifting international sanctions on Syria, which were imposed during the Assad era, arguing that the new government in Damascus deserves a fresh start.

“Russia appreciates the commitment of the new Syrian government to our bilateral security arrangements and mutual interests,” Lavrov added.

Assad, who ruled Syria for over two decades, was overthrown in a surprise militant offensive in December. His departure created a power vacuum that was quickly filled by Al-Sharaa and his coalition of opposition groups, who pledged reform, reconstruction, and reengagement with both Arab and global powers.

Moscow, which had heavily backed Assad during the Syrian civil war, is now recalibrating its position to ensure it remains a key strategic partner in Syria under the new leadership.

The Kremlin has also offered diplomatic cover to Syria in the face of continued Israeli airstrikes targeting militia bases, signaling a desire to maintain its influence in regional military and security affairs.

The outcome of the upcoming Russia-Arab League Summit in October could significantly shape the trajectory of Middle Eastern diplomacy, with Syria under Al-Sharaa potentially emerging as a central player in the region’s evolving political landscape.