Al-Shara Discusses Matters with Putin in the Kremlin

SadaNews - Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Shara today, Wednesday, at the Kremlin, where they held discussions on several issues during al-Shara's first visit to Moscow, where ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resides after his escape.

During the meeting, Putin stated that cooperation between Russia and Syria will yield positive results for both countries, emphasizing that relations between Moscow and Damascus have been strong for over 80 years.

The Russian President added that Moscow is ready to communicate through the foreign ministries of both countries.

Putin noted that the joint committee of the two countries will resume its work, saying, "We are ready to undertake several projects."

He also pointed out that parliamentary elections in Syria represented a great success and will strengthen ties among all political forces, as he described.

Defining Relations

For his part, the Syrian President stated that his country is working to redefine the nature of its relations with Russia, affirming respect for all prior agreements with Moscow.

He also confirmed the strong relationship between Syria and Russia, pointing to efforts to reconnect these ties.

Al-Shara added during the meeting, "We are trying to introduce the new Syria to the world, and Russia is one of the countries with which we have good relations," as he expressed.

Earlier today, al-Shara arrived in Moscow accompanied by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qsra, and other economic and military officials.

Objectives of the Visit

The Kremlin has stated that Putin and al-Shara will discuss the fate of the two main Russian bases in Syria, namely the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province along with a naval base in Tartus.

For his part, a Syrian source told Reuters that Syrian officials are seeking guarantees that Russia will not assist in re-arming the remnants of Assad's forces.

The same source added that al-Shara hopes that Russia will also help in rebuilding the Syrian army.

A Syrian government source also informed the French Press Agency that al-Shara will request during his first visit to Russia the handover of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who fled there last December.

Moscow has been a major supporter of the Assad regime throughout his 25-year rule, intervening with its forces in his favor starting in 2015, and has contributed, especially through airstrikes, to turning the tide in his favor on various fronts in the field, fleeing there after the rebels entered the capital, Damascus.