Since the fall of the Syrian regime on 8 December, diplomats from around the world have flocked to Damascus at a pace unseen in decades. However, among the many delegations arriving in the capital, one visit stood out. Few expected Russian officials to return to Damascus so soon, merely weeks after the overthrow of their longtime ally, Bashar al-Assad.
The visit sparked criticism from Syrians and Western officials, given Russia’s role in Syria’s war and its ongoing military operations in Ukraine. Despite domestic and international opposition, Syria’s new authorities have chosen to keep diplomatic channels open with Moscow. With Russia holding veto power at the UN Security Council, HTS is keenly aware that securing Russian backing is essential to its efforts to be removed from the UN’s terrorist list.
However, HTS’s swift decision to receive the Russian delegation followed another significant development—the termination of the commercial Tartus port contract with a Russian company. Widely seen as a blow to Moscow’s interests, this move—alongside direct diplomatic engagement—suggests a calculated strategy by HTS: curbing Russia’s footprint in Syria without directly antagonising Moscow.
Moscow’s surprise visit
A high-level Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and President Putin’s special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, arrived in Damascus last week. The delegation met with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, as well as his foreign minister.
Following the talks, Russian officials described the discussions as frank and constructive, stressing that Syria’s leadership change would not affect bilateral relations or Russian military facilities in the country. However, they declined to provide further details.
According to Syrian sources, the delegation expressed its desire to restore diplomatic ties, including reopening Russia’s embassy in Damascus. It also sought assurances that Russia could maintain control over its two key military bases—the Tartus naval base and the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia—both critical for Moscow’s power projection.
State-run SANA reported that al-Sharaa made it clear that any restoration of relations required Moscow to acknowledge past mistakes and compensate for the destruction caused by Russian military operations. He insisted that trust could only be rebuilt through tangible measures, including compensation, reconstruction, and economic recovery.
Al-Sharaa is also reported to have demanded the extradition of former President Bashar al-Assad and his close aides, who fled to Russia in early December. However, when asked whether Syria had formally requested al-Assad’s return or financial compensation, the Kremlin refused to comment.
Public outrage
Despite al-Sharaa’s push for accountability, the visit triggered criticism among Syrians. Many still see Russia as the primary enabler of al-Assad’s rule, having provided him with diplomatic cover, military support, and airpower.
Russia’s military intervention in Syria, which helped turn the tide of the war in al-Assad’s favour, is estimated to have caused at least 24,000 civilian deaths, according to conservative estimates. Moscow’s decision to shelter al-Assad and other key regime figures after the government’s collapse has only deepened resentment toward Russia.
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The visit also drew quiet but firm disapproval from Western diplomats, who have recently established engagement with the HTS-led caretaker government. Since initiating contact, Western officials have consistently called for the expulsion of Russian forces from Syria, at times even framing it as a key condition for lifting sanctions. While they remained publicly reserved, privately, they expressed strong disappointment over the Russian delegation’s reception.
While this reaction was expected, al-Sharaa has still expressed a desire to maintain relations with Moscow. In addition to Moscow’s veto power at the Security Council, which is crucial for removing HTS from the UN’s terrorist list, Russia could also serve as a potential ally for the group if al-Sharaa’s engagement with the West reaches a dead end.
