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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Wednesday, opening a tentative reset after Sharaa’s forces ousted Bashar al-Assad last year. Seeking to preserve its air and naval bases, Moscow signaled openness to a new start, while Sharaa praised “close relations” yet planned to demand Russia revoke Assad’s asylum and extradite him for war-crimes proceedings. The talks, attended by Russia’s defense and intelligence chiefs, centered on the future of Hmeimim and Tartus as Damascus weighs allowing the bases in exchange for reparations and reconstruction support.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.