Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Tuesday that Damascus and Moscow are capable of forging ties “based on sovereignty, justice, and shared interests,” adding that Russia’s explicit endorsement of Syria’s new political path would be “a step in favor of Syria and the entire region.”
Shibani spoke at a joint press conference in Damascus with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who underlined Moscow’s “special interest” in the attendance of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the first Arab–Russian summit, scheduled to take place in Moscow on October 15.
The remarks followed high-level talks at Tishreen Palace between a Russian delegation and senior Syrian officials. The visit, according to sources in Damascus, built on discussions held in Moscow in July.
The delegation was led by Novak, Russia’s former energy minister and current supervisor of energy policy, and included Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, responsible for Moscow’s foreign defense portfolios.
At the press conference, Novak reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing the talks as focused on “important directions for bilateral cooperation.” He said Moscow hoped the relationship would enter a new phase “built on mutual respect and for the benefit of both peoples.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Arab leaders and the Arab League secretary-general to the October summit, with Russian officials saying most states have expressed willingness to participate.
Al-Shibani, for his part, described relations with Moscow as “deep and longstanding,” and welcomed cooperation in reconstruction, energy, agriculture, and health on what he called a fair and transparent basis. He emphasized that any foreign presence in Syria “must aim to help the Syrian people build their future.”
He added: “The more Syria stabilizes, the greater the opportunities for cooperation. When Syria weakens, the risks of chaos and terrorism increase.” He also warned that Israeli strikes represented “a direct threat to regional stability.”
Russian outlets have reported that Damascus is weighing the resumption of Russian military police patrols in southern Syria to deter Israeli incursions. Moscow, meanwhile, is seeking to secure the legal standing of its bases at Hmeimim and Tartus as both sides review existing agreements, some of which Syrian officials consider unfair.
On chemical weapons, Al-Shibani said the “new Syria has closed the chapter of denial” and is cooperating with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The Russian delegation’s unannounced arrival Tuesday was met by presidential secretary-general Maher al-Sharaa. The visit came weeks after Al-Shibani’s July trip to Moscow, where he met Putin - the first by a senior Syrian official since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024.
