President Vladimir Putin met Syria’s foreign and defense ministers in Moscow on December 23, 2025, in a carefully framed signal that Russia intends to preserve strategic cooperation with Damascus despite the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime one year earlier. 

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the talks addressed political, military, and economic issues, with particular emphasis on defense-industry cooperation and technical partnerships. 

The meeting forms part of Russia’s broader effort to recalibrate its role in Syria following December 2024’s regime change.

SANA said discussions focused on advancing military and technical cooperation to strengthen the Syrian Arab Army’s defensive capabilities. Specific areas cited included modernizing military equipment, transferring technical expertise, and expanding research and development cooperation in military industries. 

These priorities point to continuity rather than rupture: Russia has long acted as Syria’s primary arms supplier and defense partner, and the agenda suggests Moscow is positioning itself to retain that role under the new authorities.

“Mutual Interest” After Assad

The December 23 meeting involved Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, a major general, who were in Moscow on an official visit. 

SANA framed the talks as serving “mutual interest,” a formulation echoed in international coverage citing the Syrian outlet. In addition to military cooperation, the sides discussed broader economic ties, including support for Syria’s reconstruction projects, infrastructure development, and encouraging investment—issues made more acute by over a decade of war and sanctions.

Political coordination was also on the agenda. 

SANA reported that the two sides discussed regional and international developments, including condemnation of Israeli violations of Syrian territory. 

While no operational details were disclosed, the inclusion of this issue underscores Moscow’s continued alignment with Damascus on regional security narratives, even as Syria’s leadership has changed.

Parallel Diplomacy Track

The Kremlin meeting was complemented by a parallel diplomatic track. 

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was scheduled to hold separate bilateral talks with al-Shaibani on the same day, December 23, according to announcements by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and reports by TASS. 

This engagement follows earlier efforts to stabilize ties. 

After the Assad government fell in December 2024, Syria’s transitional government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa sought assurances from Moscow while signaling continuity on existing agreements. 

An October 2025 visit by al-Sharaa to Moscow included pledges to honor prior arrangements, a key concern for Russia as it seeks to secure its military presence at the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility. 

Against that backdrop, the December 23 meetings appear designed to translate those assurances into practical cooperation with Syria’s new leadership.