“A Russian delegation has arrived in Damascus. It includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the Russian President's Special Representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev,” the state-run TASS news agency said.
Russia was a staunch supporter of Bashar al-Assad and provided military support to the regime in its years-long conflict with rebel and militia groups, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which ousted Assad and is the main force in the new Syrian government.
Assad and his family left for Moscow and were granted asylum by the Russian government.
Russia operates the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartus naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, both of which are critical for projecting power in the Middle East.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine was seen as a significant impairment to the Kremlin’s ability to maintain its support for Assad, contributing to his swift downfall.
In late December, a high-level delegation from Ukraine also met with Syria’s de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss extending Ukraine’s support for Syria and enhancing agricultural and food cooperation.
