Vladimir Putin says "efforts to restore Syria’s territorial integrity" in base deal

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Sunday via state media that a memorandum with Moscow will turn Russia’s Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base into shared centers for military training and capability development, with a transition due within three months and civilian facilities handed over to Damascus. The agreement followed a year and a half of negotiations; Russia has not commented. The bases had supported ousted President Bashar al-Assad, and Assad’s fall weakened Moscow’s regional influence. President Vladimir Putin has hosted Syria’s leader Ahmed al-Sharaa twice; during a January visit, Putin praised rebuilt interstate relations and commended Sharaa’s work to reunify Syrian territory. Damascus continues to demand that Russia hand over Assad, who has remained in Moscow since his ouster.