Putin holds first talks with Syria's new leader

Vladimir Putin and Ahmed al-Sharaa had a "constructive, businesslike, and meaningful" conversation, the Kremlin claims.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had his first telephone conversation with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was declared interim president, the Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday, February 12.

It is claimed that this conversation was of a "constructive, business-like and substantive nature" and touched on "a number of topical issues of practical interaction in the trade, economic, educational and other spheres, in particular, taking into account the recent negotiations in Damascus of the Russian interdepartmental delegation."

"It is intended to continue such useful contacts to develop a broad agenda for the development of bilateral cooperation," the message says.

Putin wished Ahmed al-Shara success "in solving the tasks facing the new leadership of the country for the benefit of the Syrian people, with whom Russia has historically been linked by relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation."