Putin holds first phone call with Syria President Sharaa

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin today discussed the prospects of Russian-Syrian cooperation in his first phone call with Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the president of Syria.

Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to assist the new administration in addressing socio-economic problems in Syria, including providing humanitarian assistance, the Kremlin said in a statement. The two leaders agreed to maintain contacts.

Bashar Al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on 8 December, ending his family’s decades-long rule. Al-Sharaa was declared the president in January.

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