Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, on his first official visit to Moscow, said Damascus wants Russia “by our side” as the country rebuilds after last year’s regime change. He called for ties based on “mutual respect” despite existing challenges, Al Jazeera reported.

The visit marks a shift under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has taken a pragmatic approach to Moscow. Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria and continued economic ties, including oil shipments.