Although this was the first direct conversation between Putin and al-Sharaa, the interim Syrian leader had previously engaged with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and special presidential envoy Alexander Lavrentyev during a high-profile visit to Damascus in January.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, the first direct communication between the two since Sharaa's forces overthrew Moscow's ally Bashar al-Assad in December.

Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa and Russia’s Vladimir Putin held their first phone call on Wednesday, which comes at an uncertain time for the former allies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, the Kremlin announced on Telegram.

Russia will likely keep a reduced military presence in Syria, achieving a key objective for President Vladimir Putin after the downfall of the Assad regime he backed, according to people familiar with the matter.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa held his first direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in a call initiated by Moscow, signaling a shift in Syria-Russia relations following the ouster of Bashar Assad.

The Russian authorities plan to maintain a limited military presence in Syria. The Kremlin aims to counter the resurgence of influence by Islamic State militants in the country. However, the feasibility of this plan remains uncertain,

Russia is reportedly nearing a deal with Syria to maintain a limited military presence in the country after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 17, citing sources familiar with the matter.