According to Al Jazeera, the talks between Putin and al-Sharaa centered on the broader state of Russia-Syria relations, with a specific focus on the continued presence of Russian forces at Khmeimim and Tartous. The bases have been a cornerstone of Moscow’s military footprint in the Middle East since the Syrian civil war, allowing Russia to project power in the region and support the government of Bashar al-Assad. Following Assad’s ouster, the new Syrian leadership under al-Sharaa is reassessing all foreign military agreements.
Syrian officials have confirmed that negotiations over the two installations are ongoing, though no final agreement has been reached. The talks represent a delicate balancing act for al-Shara: maintaining ties with a major power while asserting Syria's sovereignty after a long period of foreign interference. Russia, for its part, is eager to preserve its naval access to the Mediterranean and its airlift capacity through Khmeimim, both of which have been critical for operations in Africa and the Middle East.
The Kremlin has not publicly commented on the meeting, but analysts note that Russia’s position in Syria has weakened since Assad’s fall. Moscow had invested heavily in propping up the former regime, and the bases are now one of its few remaining assets in the country. Any deal will likely involve guarantees for both Russia’s strategic interests and Syria’s demand for full control over its territory.
The outcome of the Putin-al-Sharaa talks could signal the direction of Syria’s foreign policy under its new government and whether Russia can retain a foothold in the post-Assad order.