Camilla Jessen
Syria’s al-Sharaa to visit Moscow, seek Assad’s extradition from Russia.
Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss fate of ex-president and future of Russian troops in Syria
Visit to Moscow
Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to travel to Moscow on Wednesday,
October 15, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Syria TV and a Reuters source within the Syrian government.
The trip marks al-Sharaa’s first official visit to Russia since taking power, and it comes at a critical moment for Damascus as it attempts to reshape its foreign policy while addressing lingering issues tied to the previous regime.
Bashar al-Assad on the agenda
A key topic of the discussions will reportedly be the extradition of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country after losing control of the capital late last year.
Al-Sharaa’s government seeks to hold Assad accountable for alleged crimes committed during his decades-long rule.
Syrian authorities claim that Moscow has been harboring Assad since his ousting.
Assad reportedly living in Moscow
According to the German newspaper Die Zeit, Assad and his family have been living in Moscow City, a high-end financial and residential district.
A source close to the family told the publication that Assad spends most of his time playing online games and rarely appears in public.
He reportedly owns three luxury apartments and often retreats to a private villa outside Moscow.
Former jihadist leader now heads Syria
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously led the al-Qaeda-linked group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized power in December 2024, after his forces captured Damascus and declared the formation of a new transitional government.
His rapid consolidation of power ended Assad’s decades-long rule but also raised concerns among Western governments about the new leadership’s Islamist roots.
Relations with Russia and China a priority
In a recent interview with CBS, al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s foreign policy will focus on “national interests”, aiming to maintain strong ties with Russia and China while remaining open to engagement with the West.
“Cooperation with Moscow does not preclude dialogue with Western countries,” al-Sharaa said, adding that the new government has received “positive signals” from Russia regarding future cooperation.
Russia seeks to preserve military presence
Another topic expected in Moscow talks is the continued presence of Russian forces at the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim airbase, which Moscow has operated since 2015.
The new Syrian leadership has so far tolerated Russia’s presence, citing its role in maintaining stability in key regions.
However, analysts say future negotiations could redefine Moscow’s military privileges in the country.
Moscow’s cautious diplomacy
In July, Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Moscow with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shirbani, marking the first visit by a representative of the new government since the regime change.
Russia appears keen to maintain its foothold in the region while cautiously engaging the new Syrian leadership following recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
