Russia invites Syria’s new president to Russia-Arab summit as ties evolve
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hosted Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Moscow on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a representative of Syria's new government since the ousting of longtime ally Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Strengthening ties with Syria’s new leadership
Lavrov expressed hope that Syria’s new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, would attend the upcoming Russia-Arab League summit in Moscow on October 15. “Of course, we hope that President al-Sharaa will be able to take part in the first Russia-Arab League summit,” Lavrov stated during the meeting.
Following Assad’s overthrow by armed opposition groups last year, Assad fled to Russia, where he was granted asylum. Despite the political shift, Moscow has sought to maintain close ties with Syria's new government, offering diplomatic backing in the face of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory.
Revisiting Syria-Russia relations
During a joint press conference, al-Shaibani emphasized the need to re-evaluate and strengthen bilateral relations, reflecting on past agreements. “This visit is intended to start a necessary discussion ... based on the lessons of the past, to formulate the future,” he said.
The two ministers agreed to establish two committees tasked with reviewing and redefining previous agreements between Syria and Russia. Al-Shaibani highlighted opportunities for rebuilding Syria and called for Moscow’s continued support. “There are many opportunities for a united strong Syria; we hope Russia stands with us on this pathway,” he added.
Moscow’s continued support
Lavrov praised Syria’s authorities for ensuring the security of two Russian military bases in the country and reiterated Russia’s commitment to assisting Syria in its recovery. He also called for the removal of international sanctions on Damascus, which have hindered rebuilding efforts.
In May, Lavrov warned of the threat of ethnic cleansing against Syrian religious minorities by radical militant groups, underlining Moscow’s broader concerns regarding stability in the region.
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