(January 29, 2026)

Sharaa told Putin that Russia „plays an important role in stabilising“ both Syria and the region as a whole.

Earlier this week, the Reuters news agency reported that Russia was withdrawing forces from Qamishli airport in northeast Syria, although it was expected to maintain its larger Hmeimim air base and Tartous naval facility on Syria‘s Mediterranean coast.

An unnamed Syrian source told Reuters that the withdrawal is likely a gesture of goodwill, and a way of signalling that Moscow does not wish to be dragged into the fighting between Syrian forces and the SDF.

However, it‘s no secret that Putin wishes to preserve Russian influence over Syria and its neighbours.