Critical meeting between Putin and Ahmed al-Shara

Ahmed al-Shara, who was appointed as head of state following the removal of Bashar al-Assad from office in Syria, is making his second official visit to Russia. This meeting in Moscow stands out as a significant encounter during a period when the political and military balance of power in Syria is being reshaped.

Shara, who emerged from groups that fought against Russian airstrikes for years, is holding talks in the capital, Moscow, today in search of strengthening cooperation with Russia. The main agenda items of the meeting include the presence of Russian military bases on Syrian soil and the deepening of economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

A statement from the Kremlin indicated that the future of the Russian military presence in Syria would be addressed at the summit. Russia currently maintains two major naval bases in Syria and preserves its military infrastructure in the region. However, it was reported last week that some Russian soldiers stationed in the Qamishli region of Syria had begun to leave the country.

As the meeting began, Ahmed al-Shara pointed to changing foreign policy priorities under Syria's current conditions, stating: "Syria is no longer in a position to engage in hostility with global powers, and for this reason, we request that Russia sincerely support us in the process of rebuilding our country."

A NEW ERA IN RUSSIA-SYRIA RELATIONS?

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry S. Peskov noted that relations between the two countries have been developed steadily since the end of the former administration in Syria. However, Peskov did not make any assessment regarding the issue of the extradition of Bashar al-Assad.

Following the gradual reduction of US support, the Shara administration, which has increased its dominance in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, has begun to be seen by the West as a priority and reliable partner against the ISIS threat.

The Syrian interim administration is expected to request more support from Russia, particularly for counter-terrorism and the country's reconstruction, during the talks in Moscow. In this context, with reference to the attack carried out by ISIS at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow last year, the Kremlin's determination to contribute actively to the fight against terrorism in Syria stands out.