Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held discussions on Wednesday, focusing on the status of Russia’s military bases in Syria, according to Syrian news agency SANA. The call reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity and rejection of Israeli attacks.

Status of Key Military Bases

The Khmeimim airbase and Tartous naval base remain central to the Russia-Syria dialogue — Both bases are of strategic importance to Russia. The Kremlin highlighted that the discussion included the Memorandum of Understanding on the Reorganisation of the Khmeimim Air Base and the Tartus Material-Technical Support Point, signed on August 9.

Earlier this month, Syria announced a deal reached after 18 months of negotiations. Under the agreement, the Khmeimim and Tartous bases will be converted into “joint training and capacity-building centres.” Syria will take control of civilian facilities at both locations.

Bilateral Cooperation and Political Dialogue

The Kremlin emphasized that the talks were aimed at deepening political dialogue and cooperation in trade, among other areas, while Both sides exposed the importance of maintaining continued contact “at various levels” to further develop bilateral relations.

Pukin reaffirmed Russia’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity and reiterated Moscow’s rejection of Israeli attacks and violations of Syrian sovereignty; the discussions also touched on broader diplomatic and economic cooperation.

Broader Geopolitical Context

The Russia-Syria relationship exists within a broader geopolitical context, and Over the past decade, Russia and China have developed a strong strategic alliance, including military cooperation. The war in Ukraine has deepened this alliance, though it has been evolving for years.

Key developments include the 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, and joint military exercises beginning in 2005; Economic and financial realignments, such as Russia’s shift of gold reserves and reduction of U.S. Treasury debt, have also reinforced this partnership.

Though not directly mentioned in the Syria-Telegram call, this broader alliance highlights the strategic importance of maintaining strong ties with key partners in the Middle East, including Syria.