Moscow, Russia – For the first time since assuming power in Syria, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, on Wednesday.
Assad and the heads of his regime
While the Kremlin announced that “Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with his Syrian counterpart, who is on a working visit to the country,” sources revealed some details.
She stated that Sharaa would demand that Putin hand over Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and all heads of the former regime.
She also noted that he will also discuss transitional justice with his Russian counterpart.
For its part, the Russian presidency said that the two presidents will discuss the situation in the Middle East, as well as strengthening relations between the two countries.
The fate of the two Russian military bases in Syria will also be discussed during talks in Moscow later Wednesday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Moscow would discuss with Damascus the restructuring of military facilities in Syria, while also discussing the Russian presence there.
Media outlets also reported that Sharaa will meet with members of the Syrian community, but will not meet with Arab ambassadors or visit the Syrian embassy.
Handing over Assad
A Syrian official source also revealed on Tuesday that Sharaa will officially request the extradition of the former Syrian president to face trial for what he described as war crimes and violations against Syrians.
He also added that Sharaa will also hold talks on the continued presence of the Russian naval base in Tartus and the air base in Hmeimim.
It is worth noting that this is Shara’s first visit to Moscow since opposition factions led by him ousted the former president last year.
It is worth noting that Putin had granted Assad humanitarian asylum at the time, and the former president has not been seen anywhere in the Russian capital since.
At the end of last September (2025), Damascus investigative judge Tawfiq al-Ali announced the issuance of an arrest warrant in absentia against al-Assad.
In preparation for pursuing the case internationally through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Russia has two major military bases in Syria: the Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia Governorate and a naval base in Tartus.
