Tue Jan 28 16:05:08 UTC 2025: ## Russian Delegation Visits Syria Amid Power Shift, Focusing on Military Bases
**Damascus, Syria** – A high-level Russian delegation, including Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, arrived in Damascus this week for talks with Syria’s new de facto leadership. This is the first such visit since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, who sought refuge in Russia following a recent opposition offensive.
The visit’s primary focus is securing the future of Russia’s crucial naval base in Tartous and airbase in Khmeimim, its only military outposts outside the former Soviet Union. While the new Syrian government hasn’t demanded a Russian withdrawal, the recent cancellation of a contract with a Russian company to manage Tartous port raised concerns. However, Russian officials maintain that this doesn’t affect the naval base’s separate lease agreement.
Discussions are expected to cover aid, food imports, and the long-term status of the military bases. Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid noted the extraordinary shift in relations, considering the previous conflict between Russia and the now-governing faction.
The visit follows Russia’s denial of a strategic defeat in the Middle East after al-Assad’s fall and comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity from the new Syrian government, including recent visits from Saudi Arabia and the EU’s easing of some sanctions. Russia, a key backer of al-Assad during the 13-year civil war, has repositioned its forces to its main bases near Latakia but shows no sign of evacuating. The delegation’s visit underscores Russia’s commitment to maintaining its strategic presence in Syria despite the political upheaval.
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