Description: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, hosted Syria’s Foreign Minister, Assad Hassan Al – Shibani in Moscow as the two countries signaled diplomatic rapprochement. Ties between Syria and Russia were significantly degraded since the ouster of Russian – backed President, Bashar Al – Assad, however, Al – Shibani’s visit indicated diplomatic reconciliation. Lavrov restated support for the new Syrian government and officially invited President Ahmed Al Sharaa to attend the first Russia – Arab League summit scheduled to take place in Oct. Lavrov also expressed Russia’s gratitude for Syria’s preservation of the Russian military bases and welcomed any other cooperative engagements between the countries in the upcoming period.
Impact: Russia’s official reengagement with Syria through the restructuring of diplomatic ties stipulates Syria’s importance as key economic and geopolitical hub in the Middle East. Russia’s engagement comes after Syria’s announcement to hold elections in Dec which indicates a diplomatic initiative to influence the country’s future political establishment and internal decision-making processes. Russia joins a long line of countries such as the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar which are attempting to establish an influential footprint within the country’s internal socio – economic dynamics and leverage strategic presence in the region. Syria would aim at maintaining stable relations with Russia while also developing strategic ties with the US and Turkey, which could potentially lead towards clashes of interest which in Syria’s case are manifested through internal armed confrontations.