The recent power shift in Damascus “will not change the nature” of Russian-Syrian relations, Deputy FM Mikhail Bogdanov has said
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Syrian leader Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, Damascus, Syria, January 28, 2025. © RT Moscow and Damascus intend to maintain their historically stable and mutually beneficial relationship, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said following the first Russian diplomatic visit to Syria since its leadership change. Bogdanov led the Russian delegation in talks with the head of the Syrian administration, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Health Minister Maher al-Sharaa, and representatives from several Russian government agencies. Al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, became Syria’s de facto leader last month after his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group launched a surprise attack on Damascus, forcing former President Bashar Assad to flee the country.
“We confirmed the fundamental immutability of relations between our countries, which are strategic in nature and aimed at preserving the unity and independence of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Bogdanov told RT Arabic on Tuesday following the talks. The recent power shift in Damascus “will not change the nature” of Russian-Syrian relations, he added. The discussions included Russia’s continued military presence in Syria, though no specific agreements were reached, according to Bogdanov. “As far as we know, the status of Russian facilities in Tartus and Khmeimim has not changed yet, and an agreement was reached to continue an in-depth dialogue on various aspects of cooperation between our countries,” he said.
Moscow is prepared to assist in stabilizing the country and addressing economic and social challenges, Bogdanov added, noting that the new Damascus administration had expressed “understanding and attention” to Russia’s position. Talks also covered trade, economic relations, and Moscow’s continued involvement with various Russian- and Soviet-built infrastructure projects in Syria, including power plants and dams, he said. Damascus and Moscow share “strategic interests,” al-Sharaa told Al Arabiya News last month. “We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way that undermines its relationship with the country,” he stressed.
