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Putin Offers Cooperation to Syrian Leader, Backs Efforts to Stabilize Country

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow, Russia, 18 March 2025. EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow, Russia, 18 March 2025. EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL
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Putin Offers Cooperation to Syrian Leader, Backs Efforts to Stabilize Country

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow, Russia, 18 March 2025. EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow, Russia, 18 March 2025. EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message to Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa supporting efforts to stabilize the situation in the country and saying Russia is ready to engage in "practical cooperation", Russian state news agency TASS reported on Thursday.

Putin confirmed "Russia's continuing readiness to develop practical cooperation with the Syrian leadership on the whole range of issues on the bilateral agenda in order to strengthen traditionally friendly Russian-Syrian relations," it quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Syria has been rocked by a wave of sectarian killings. The Kremlin said earlier this month it wanted to see a united and "friendly" Syria because instability there could affect the whole of the Middle East.

Russia, which has two strategically important military bases in Syria, was one of the main supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after he was toppled in December.

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Netanyahu Believes Confrontation with Türkiye in Syria is 'Inevitable'

Israeli army tanks and a bulldozer drive through the Abu Diab military post on March 19, 2025, on the southern outskirts of the Syrian border town of Quneitra, which locals say had Russian forces' presence before the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
Israeli army tanks and a bulldozer drive through the Abu Diab military post on March 19, 2025, on the southern outskirts of the Syrian border town of Quneitra, which locals say had Russian forces' presence before the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Netanyahu Believes Confrontation with Türkiye in Syria is 'Inevitable'

Israeli army tanks and a bulldozer drive through the Abu Diab military post on March 19, 2025, on the southern outskirts of the Syrian border town of Quneitra, which locals say had Russian forces' presence before the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
Israeli army tanks and a bulldozer drive through the Abu Diab military post on March 19, 2025, on the southern outskirts of the Syrian border town of Quneitra, which locals say had Russian forces' presence before the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations to discuss concerns over Turkish influence in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime, and is trying to portray a confrontation with Ankara as inevitable, Israeli security sources said.
The Hebrew website Walla, citing security sources, said Syria is holding contacts with Türkiye regarding the transfer of areas near Palmyra (central Syria) to the Turkish army in exchange for economic and military support for Damascus. This development sparked significant Israeli concerns, the sources said.
They noted that the new Syrian regime is working to restore military bases and enhance missile and defense capabilities in the south, near Israel.
Also, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu, through his advisors, is pushing Israeli media to portray that “a confrontation with Türkiye on Syrian territory is inevitable.”
In January, a confidential Israeli government study group delivered a warning about the Türkiye-Syria alliance. The committee’s report urged Netanyahu to prepare for a potential war with Ankara in Syria.
Also, the Jerusalem Post said Israel must prepare for a direct confrontation with Türkiye, according to the Nagel Committee’s latest report on the defense budget and security strategy.
It noted that the committee, established by the Israeli government, warns that Ankara’s ambitions to restore its Ottoman-era influence could lead to heightened tensions with Israel, possibly escalating into conflict.
The report highlights the risk of Syrian factions aligning with Türkiye, creating a new and potent threat to Israel’s security.
“The threat from Syria could evolve into something even more dangerous than the Iranian threat,” the report states, warning that Turkish-backed forces might act as proxies, fueling regional instability.
Meanwhile, Syria TV said two members of the Syrian defense ministry's 42nd Division were injured in the Israeli airstrike that targeted the Palmyra military airport last Friday night.
Later, the channel reported that US helicopters flew at low altitudes over Deir Ezzor.
Last week, Syrian state news agency, SANA, said Israeli strikes on the southern Syria province of Deraa killed and wounded several civilians.