DUBAI, January 29. /TASS/. Mikhail Bogdanov, special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa and deputy foreign minister, and Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed matters of "restoring ties" between Damascus and Moscow during their talks in the Syrian capital, Syria’s new authorities said in a statement.
"The Russian side reaffirmed its support to the positive changes that are now taking place in Syria. The talks focused on Russia’s role in restoring relations with the people of Syria through practical measures, such as compensations and assistance in reconstruction," the document said.
According to the statement, Syria’s new leader "reaffirmed commitment in principle to contacts with all parties concerned in order to shape Syria’s future on the basis of justice, dignity and sovereignty."
"The new administration also stressed that restoring ties should take past mistakes into account, respect the Syrian people’s will and serve its interests," the statement says.
An inter-departmental Russian delegation visited Damascus on Tuesday to meet with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, which Bogdanov described as constructive. During the three-hour talks with al-Sharaa, the Russian side emphasized the need to resolve domestic issues through an inclusive political dialogue. Russia’s approach to Syria remains unchanged in principle, and Moscow remains consistent in its support to unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, Bogdanov added.
The Russian diplomat told reporters that the question of preserving Russian military bases in Syria requires further consultations, and the sides have agreed to continue them. Commenting on Russia’s bases in Syria, he said: "Nothing has changed."
Russia operates two military facilities in Syria - the Tartus naval logistics base and the Hmeymim air base located 20 km southeast of Latakia. The Soviet base in Tartus was established in 1971 under a bilateral agreement. Russia set up its air task force in Syria on September 30, 2015 to provide support to the Syrian army in fighting the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia).
In late November, Syria’s armed opposition launched a large-scale offensive against government forces. On December 8, they entered Damascus, while the army withdrew from the Syrian capital. Syria's President Bashar Assad resigned and left the country. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who had led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Idlib Province since January 2024, announced his appointment as head of Syria’s interim government until March 1, 2025.