Close-up portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 29, 2026. Russia’s new basing deal with Syria indicates it can no longer sustain a significant military presence in the Middle East, according to Matthew Cookson. (Shutterstock/Takeshisan)

What Russia’s Syrian Retreat Means for the Ukraine War

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The recent Russia-Syria basing agreement underscores Russia’s diminishing commitment to a military presence in the Middle East and Africa. 

On August 9, Russia and Syria signed a deal that hands Syria two Russian military bases: Tartus, a naval base, and Khmeimem, an air base. Both installations are located on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. Some form of Russian military presence will remain to host “joint training and qualification centers.” On August 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with his Syrian counterpart, President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with both reiterating their commitment to the basing agreement. While this deal signals deepening diplomatic ties between the two countries, it also reveals Russia’s weakness abroad.

Ties between Russia and Syria date back to the Cold War, when shared opposition to the West drew the Soviet Union and Baathist Syria together. Despite the collapse of the USSR, Syria remained close with Russia. Dictator Bashar al-Assad........

© The National Interest