The new Syrian leadership that came to power after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 faced its first major diplomatic challenge in relations with Russia. In January 2025, the interim Syrian government asked the Kremlin to extradite former President Bashar al-Assad, who had sought refuge in Moscow after fleeing Damascus. However, Russia refused to comply with the request, as stated by interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in an interview with The New York Times published on April 23, 2025. This refusal became the subject of active discussion both in Syrian society and on the international arena, highlighting the complexity of the transition period in Syria.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel coalition who took over the country after a sweeping offensive that ended the Assad family's 50-year rule, said that despite Moscow's refusal, Syria has no intention of severing ties with Russia.

“We are obliged to take into account the key interests of Syria,” he stressed, pointing to the country’s deep dependence on Russian supplies.

According to Sharaa, most of Syria’s weapons are of Russian origin, and Russia remains an important supplier of food and energy. For example, according to UN data for 2024, Russia provided up to 40% of Syria’s wheat imports, and Russian companies operate key energy facilities, including power plants in Latakia and Aleppo.

The Kremlin’s refusal to extradite Assad came as no surprise. Russia has been the Assad regime’s main ally for decades, providing military, economic, and diplomatic support. Since 2015, Russian forces have carried out tens of thousands of airstrikes on rebel positions, killing more than 21 people, including 8,7 civilians, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. After the fall of Assad in December 2024, Moscow granted him asylum, drawing criticism from the new Syrian government. In December 2024, the Syrian government demanded compensation from Russia for “past mistakes,” including the destruction caused by Russian operations, but Moscow limited itself to expressing “continued support” for Syrian unity.

Despite his rejection over Assad, Al-Sharaa seeks to build pragmatic relations with Russia. In an interview, he noted that the Syrian army, formed from former rebel groups, continues to use Russian weapons, including T-72 tanks and S-300 air defense systems. In addition, Russia maintains a military presence in Syria, operating a naval base in Tartus and an air base in Khmeimim. According to Reuters, in March 2025, Damascus and Moscow began talks on possible military support, including training of Syrian troops by Russian instructors. Al-Sharaa also expressed hope for continued economic cooperation, stressing that a break with Russia would harm the restoration of the Syrian economy, devastated by the 13-year civil war.

Meanwhile, Syria’s new authorities are facing internal and external challenges. Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, led a group linked to al-Qaeda, which has raised concerns among Western countries. In an interview with The New York Times, he called on the United States to lift sanctions imposed on Syria over the Assad regime and to reconsider HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization. According to the BBC, Al-Sharaa is also in talks with Turkey and Russia about possible military support to stabilize the country, underscoring his efforts to maneuver between various geopolitical players.