Putin praises Sharaa for momentum in restoring Syria's integrity

Sharaa thanks Putin for help in stabilising the situation in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 28 Jan 2026. MAXIM SHIPENKOV/Pool via REUTERS

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday for increasing momentum towards restoring the territorial integrity of the Arab Republic after Syrian troops took swathes of territory from Kurdish forces.

"I want to congratulate you on the fact that the process of restoring the territorial integrity of Syria is gaining momentum," Putin told Sharaa in the Kremlin.

Sharaa, who is making his second visit to Russia since ousting long-time Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad in 2024, thanked Putin for help in stabilising the situation in Syria and the wider region.