Overview

• Syria’s state media says Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday in his first official trip to Russia since Bashar al-Assad was toppled.
• Damascus says talks will cover regional developments and steps to expand political and economic cooperation between the two governments.
• Negotiations will examine the future of Russia’s Tartous naval base and Hmeimim air base, with Sergey Lavrov indicating Moscow aims to maintain a presence but may reconfigure roles.
• Al-Sharaa plans to formally request that Russia hand over Assad for trial, according to Syrian sources, with the ex-president residing in Moscow since his ouster.
• The visit proceeds despite the postponement of a planned Russian‑Arab summit, as Moscow continues courting Syria’s new leadership to preserve influence.