Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the “special” relationship between Moscow and Damascus during his first meeting with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the Kremlin.

Putin said that Syria’s recent elections would help strengthen ties among various political forces in the country and affirmed Russia’s readiness to continue coordination with Damascus through their respective foreign ministries.

He described Russian-Syrian relations as having a “unique spirit of friendship and cooperation.”

Meanwhile, a diplomatic source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said that President Al-Sharaa plans to ask Putin to hand over “all individuals accused of war crimes currently in Russia, including Bashar al-Assad.