Русский
Syria and Russia have agreed on transferring commercial sections at the port of Tartus to the Syrian side, according to the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs. They stated “Following a series of talks between Syria and Russia, and agreement was reached providing for the transfer of commercial sections that were earlier held by the Russian side at the port of Tartus, including berth No 4 and warehouses and structures around it to the Syrian side.”
The Syrian foreign ministry said earlier that Damascus and Moscow had signed a memorandum envisaging the reorganization of Russian military bases in Syria as centers for joint troops training.
Russia has two military facilities in Syria – a Russian navy logistics center in Tartus Port and the Kmeimim airbase located near the city of Jableh in the Latakia governorate. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Arabic countries on October 13, 2025 that Damascus was interested in preserving Russian military bases in Syria, which, however, could be reorganized to serve other purposes.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry had said that the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base will be turned into “joint Syria-Russia training and capacity-building centres” under new arrangements aimed at preserving mutual interests.
Russian President Putin has maintained close contact with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who nonetheless wants Syrian territory returned to the country and firmly under Syrian control. The joint arrangements concept appears to be a reasonable compromise as it recognises Syrian sovereignty while maintaining a small Russian presence that could be rapidly expanded in future if necessary.
