ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow for an “official visit” on Wednesday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his second trip in four months, the SANA news agency reported.

Talks between the two leaders are expected to take up bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, SANA said.

Separately, Russia confirmed that Sharaa is in Moscow, and his arrival was broadcast live on Russia's state Rossiya-24 TV channel.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Sharaa will discuss the issues related to the presence of the Russian armed forces in Syria.

"I have no doubt that all issues related to the presence of our military in Syria will also be raised during today's negotiations," he said.

Cooperation between Moscow and Damascus is actively developing following the change of leadership in Syria, Peskov added.

"Relations with the Syrian Arab Republic are actively developing following the change of leadership," he said.

Commenting on media reports that claimed the Syrian authorities are allegedly negotiating with Moscow over the extradition of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from Russia, Peskov said: "We are not commenting on the Assad issue."

On reports that Syrian authorities had requested Russia’s withdrawal from an airfield in Qamishli, Peskov said only the Defense Ministry could address such matters.

“As for the deployment of our armed forces on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, this is the prerogative of the Ministry of Defense. We recommend contacting them,” he said.

The Kremlin said Tuesday that talks between Putin and Sharaa will focus on Syria’s transitional period and developments in the Middle East.

“The plan is to discuss the state and prospects for developing bilateral ties in various areas, as well as the current situation in the Middle East,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Wednesday’s visit is the second by Sharaa to Moscow after a similar trip in October 2025.