The Associated PressRussian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa pose for a photo during their meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. MOSCOW (AP) — Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow on Wednesday for the second time in less than four months, and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized his readiness to help the country rebuild its war-battered economy. The talks also were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean. He led a swift rebel offensive in December 2024 that ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who enjoyed Moscow’s support for years as his government fought a devastating civil war. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and military intelligence chief Adm. Igor Kostyukov were among senior officials who took part in Wednesday’s Kremlin talks.