Image Credits: The Moscow Times
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian President Bashar Assad for a high-stakes meeting on Wednesday as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. The Kremlin expressed concern about the situation in the region, although specific details of their discussions were not disclosed.
Russia has been a pivotal military ally in Syria since September 2015, supporting Assad’s regime alongside Iran against opposition groups. Despite its primary military focus now being in Ukraine, Russia maintains a significant military presence in Syria, with troops stationed at key bases.
“I am eager to hear your thoughts on the overall developments in the region,” Putin told Assad. “Regrettably, we are observing a trend towards increased tension.” This also applies directly to Syria.”
This meeting is their first since March 2023, when they convened in the Kremlin to mark the 12th anniversary of Syria’s civil war. During that visit, Putin emphasized the vital role of the Russian military in stabilizing Syria.”Considering all the events taking place in the world as a whole and in the Eurasian region today, our meeting today seems very important,” Assad told Putin via a Russian translator.
One of the significant topics reportedly discussed was the relationship between Syria and Turkey. Although Russia continues to be one of Assad’s staunchest supporters, it also has strong relations with Turkey and is actively working to reset diplomatic ties between the two nations. Turkey severed relations with Syria in 2011 following Assad’s violent crackdown on mass anti-government protests, which spiralled into a protracted civil war.
Türkiye backs Syrian opposition groups and maintains military forces in the northwest regions controlled by the opposition. However, there have been recent signs of a potential thaw in relations. In December 2022, defence ministers from Turkey, Syria, and Russia held talks in Moscow—the first such ministerial meeting since 2011. Russia has also facilitated multiple meetings between Syrian and Turkish officials over the past year.
The Kremlin indicated that the latest Putin-Assad meeting also touched upon the possibility of a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Assad. Both leaders have recently suggested a willingness to re-evaluate diplomatic ties, signalling a potential shift in the geopolitical landscape.
The ongoing Middle East tensions and the potential rapprochement between Syria and Turkey underscore the complexity and fluidity of regional alliances. Russia’s role as a mediator reflects its broader strategic interests in maintaining influence and stability in the region, even as it contends with its international challenges.