Strengthening Alliances: Russia and Syria Discuss Future Military Cooperation Amid Uncertainty

On Thursday, Russia and Syria indicated their intention to bolster their relationship and reassess bilateral agreements established during the presidency of Bashar al-Assad, as uncertainties grow regarding the future of Moscow’s military role in the region.

During his initial official visit to Russia since Assad’s unexpected ousting last year, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani emphasized the importance of ongoing Russian support. Following his removal from power, Assad is believed to have sought refuge in Russia.

“We definitely want Russia to stand by us,” al-Shaibani remarked to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Russia operates a naval base in Tartus and an air facility at Hmeimim, marking its sole military footholds outside the former Soviet territory. These installations on Syria’s Mediterranean coastline have been pivotal to Moscow’s military backing of Assad throughout the Syrian civil conflict.

The position of Syria’s new Islamist-led government regarding Russia’s military presence remains uncertain. While the current lease on the bases extends until 2066, both parties did not address their status during the press conference on Thursday.

Lavrov conveyed that Moscow is prepared to aid Syria in its post-conflict reconstruction and showed willingness to revisit existing “agreements and contracts made under different circumstances.”

Al-Shaibani agreed, stating that a review was essential to assess whether these agreements truly benefit the Syrian populace.

Syria requires “friends and partners to advance on its journey,” he added.

For his part, Lavrov maintained that Russia’s commitment to Syria is “not contingent on the political landscape or government changes.”