Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has spoken to Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, the first such top-level contact since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad

Russia's President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. Russia was a chief backer of Bashar al-Assad, the former president who was toppled by Sharaa in December,

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday ( Feb 12), marking their first contact since the fall of Moscow-ally Bashar al-Assad last year. The Kremlin stated that Putin wished Sharaa success in leading Syria and emphasised Russia’s support for the country’s “territorial integrity.