Syrian president to attend Russia–Arab summit in Moscow

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is expected to take part in the Russia–Arab summit scheduled for October in Moscow, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced during a visit to Damascus.

Novak said the visit would “undoubtedly strengthen bilateral cooperation,” adding that Russia sees Syria as “a promising partner in the region.” 

He also noted Moscow’s contacts with Israel, Qatar, and other regional actors, saying Russia could play “a stabilizing role” in war-torn Syria.

Russia has long been a key ally of Damascus, intervening militarily in 2015 to support former president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after his fall in December last year. The new Islamist-led Syrian government, backed by the United States, has nonetheless maintained ties with Moscow.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani hailed the opening of “a new page” in relations with Russia, calling for foreign involvement to focus solely on “helping Syrians build their future.” He urged Moscow to support Syria’s reconstruction, especially in the energy sector, and praised ongoing economic cooperation.

Neither side addressed the fate of Russia’s two military bases in Syria — the naval facility at Tartous and the Hmeimim airbase — which Moscow insists on keeping.