Russia's Putin Holds Phone Call with Syria's Jolani

Russia's President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

Russia was a chief backer of Bashar al-Assad, and is now hoping to retain the use of its naval and air bases in Syria, according to the report.

Later media said that Putin announced his country's readiness to help improve the socio-economic situation in Syria, including by providing humanitarian aid.