Putin assured Sharaa: There has never been a relationship with Syria because of Russia's special interests

Moscow has always been guided by the interests of the Syrian people in its relations with Damascus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Syrian President for the transitional period Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is on a working visit to our country.

"We have in Russia has never had any relations with regard to Syria related to our political situation or special interests. We have always been guided throughout all these decades by one thing — the interests of the Syrian people," Putin said.

He added that special relations have developed between the two countries over many decades. The President stressed that Russia has really deep ties with the Syrian people.

"Suffice it to say that hundreds, maybe thousands of people are connected by marriage and friendship," the Russian leader said.

As EADaily reported, according to a Reuters source in the Syrian government, al-Sharaa plans to discuss two key issues with Putin: the extradition of Bashar al-Assad, whom the new authorities want to bring to justice for crimes, as well as the continued presence of Russian troops at bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.