In a joint press conference, Foreign Minister Chaibani described the moment as one of both challenge and opportunity. “We want Russia by our side,” he stated, emphasizing his administration’s aim to build a strong and united Syria after years of conflict. The visit marks the most direct diplomatic engagement between the two countries since Assad’s departure.

Lavrov acknowledged that many agreements had been made under “very different conditions” and affirmed Moscow’s readiness to aid Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction. A new bilateral commission will be established to oversee the revision of all existing accords. The scope of this review is expected to cover economic contracts, military cooperation, and infrastructure deals.

Uncertainty Over Russian Military Presence

Notably, neither Chaibani nor Lavrov addressed the status of Russia’s military installations in Syria—namely the naval base in Tartous and the airbase at Hmeimim. Russia has long maintained these facilities as part of its strategic posture in the eastern Mediterranean, and their future remains a sensitive subject amid evolving power dynamics in Syria.

Russia had intervened militarily in Syria in 2015 to support Assad’s government during the civil war, playing a key role in suppressing opposition groups through intensive aerial campaigns. Despite Assad’s fall and U.S. backing of the new Syrian authorities, Moscow appears committed to maintaining a long-term role in the country’s reconstruction and regional diplomacy.