Russia has sought a rapprochement with Syria’s new rulers, including with an injection of cash for Syria’s central bank.

Syria received a new shipment of its local currency printed in Russia on Wednesday and more shipments were expected in the future, a Syrian government official said, in a new sign of improving ties between Moscow and Syria's new rulers.

Russia shipped a diesel cargo to Syria onboard a tanker under U.S. sanctions, the first known such direct supply to the Middle Eastern country in more than a decade, LSEG data showed. The final destination of the cargo is unclear.

Russia views Libya as an anchor for further entrenchment in the Sahel, where Western disengagement and weakened governments create openings. From oil in Libya to gold in Sudan to uranium in Niger, control of North Africa’s resources would feed Russia’s broader power projection goals.

The discussions between Moscow and Damascus have revolved primarily around the future of Russia’s military presence in Syria, particularly the Hmeimim Air Base and the Tartus naval facility.

Size of delivery, the second since Ahmed al-Sharaa came into power, is unclear; Moscow seeking to maintain influence in Damascus after backing ousted leader Assad during civil war

Russia shipped a diesel cargo to Syria onboard a tanker under U.S. sanctions, the first known such direct supply to the Middle Eastern country in more than a decade, LSEG data showed. The final destination of the cargo is unclear.

For years, soldiers from Russia's Hmeimim Air Base in Syria roamed freely through coastal cities. War planes flew from the complex to bombard Islamist rebels fighting Bashar al-Assad's repressive regime.

"We are primarily interested in understanding the essence of President Trump's new line," a former Russian envoy told Newsweek.

Russia will deepen its engagement in the Middle East despite losing its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad, experts said at the Erbil Forum 2025 on Friday.

The distance between Russia and India is over 4000 km, and the range of the Su-57 is 3500 km, so a stopover was necessary to cover this distance. Bandar Abbas, located near the Persian Gulf, was deemed suitable for this stop as it is also strategically advantageous.