Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Kremlin for the first time on Wednesday.

Al-Sharaa led a swift rebel offensive last year that ousted former Syrian President Bashar Assad despite years of Moscow’s support.

The meeting underlines Russia's desire to establish working ties with Syria’s new leadership and secure its military foothold in the country.

Putin said ties between the two countries have never been connected to the "political situation", but instead guided by the "interests of the Syrian people".

Assad was an ally of Russia, and Moscow’s scorched-earth intervention in support of him a decade ago turned the tide of Syria’s civil war, keeping him in his seat until his swift removal in December.

Russia, which has focused on the fighting in Ukraine and kept only a small military contingent in Syria, didn’t try to counter the rebel offensive but offered asylum to Assad after he fled the country.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported that al-Sharaa and Putin will “discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest and explore ways to develop cooperation to serve the common interests of both countries.”

Despite having been on opposite sides of the battle lines during the civil war, the new rulers in Damascus have taken a pragmatic approach to relations with Moscow.

Russia has retained a presence at its air and naval bases on the Syrian coast and the Kremlin has voiced hope for negotiating a deal to keep the outposts.

Moscow has also reportedly sent oil shipments to Syria.

A Russian delegation visited Damascus in January, and Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani visited Moscow in July.