Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Tuesday, May 27, that he has extended an invitation to Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister of the Syrian Transitional Government, to visit Russia.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Moscow alongside his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Lavrov stated that Russia is engaging with the new Syrian leadership and has formally invited al-Shaibani to Moscow.
Lavrov did not provide further details about the timing or agenda of a potential visit. However, he emphasised that Moscow and Ankara share consistent positions on the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory, noting that both sides are interested in expanding cooperation on issues related to the Middle East and Africa.
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Fidan, for his part, underscored the importance of lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, calling it “extremely important.” He added, “We are working with Russia to ensure Syria’s territorial integrity and to support stabilisation efforts.” He also remarked that the new Syrian leadership is taking serious steps to combat terrorism.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed the importance of integrating all military forces under the framework of the new Syrian army.
In early March, European and Syrian officials revealed that Russia had been seeking a deal to maintain its military presence in Syria in exchange for economic assistance and investments.
Officials told The Wall Street Journal that the ongoing negotiations involve billions of dollars in financial aid from Moscow, alongside planned investments in Syrian gas fields and port infrastructure.
The proposed contracts reportedly include the revival of a suspended expansion project at the port of Tartous, as well as the development of large offshore gas concessions, phosphate mines, and hydrocarbon fields in the Palmyra region. Plans for a fertiliser plant in Homs, located in central Syria, are also under discussion.
According to officials, the new Syrian administration aims to “open a new page” in its relationship with Moscow. They noted that the talks included a possible formal apology from Russia for its past role in bombing civilian areas.
Negotiations also touched on a request by Damascus for Moscow to hand over Bashar al-Assad, an idea that Russian officials reportedly refused to entertain.
Discussions between the two sides are believed to have begun in January, following the arrival of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves as President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to the Middle East, in the Syrian capital.
