Overview

• Kremlin officials confirmed a Wednesday meeting in the Kremlin to discuss political, economic and humanitarian cooperation, along with recent regional developments.
• Dmitry Peskov said the status of Russia’s Tartous naval facility and Hmeimim air base will be discussed, after Sergey Lavrov indicated the sites could be repurposed under new circumstances.
• Syrian officials told reporters the delegation will press a formal request for Russia to hand over Bashar al-Assad for trial, according to multiple reports citing Syrian sources.
• SANA and TASS said the visit’s program includes outreach to the Syrian community in Russia and features senior foreign, military and economic officials in the delegation.
• The meeting highlights Moscow’s effort to keep a military foothold and working relations with Damascus after granting Assad asylum following his December 2024 removal.