Syria’s new leader asked Russia to hand over Assad and close aides

Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa requested that Russia hand over former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his close aides during discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, according to sources close to the talks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declines to comment on whether that demand had been raised.

Separately, the Kremlin says Russia is working to build dialogue with the new administration in Syria as Moscow seeks to secure the future of its military bases there.

Bogdanov traveled to Damascus this week for the first talks with Syria’s new leaders since Moscow’s ally Assad was toppled late last year. Assad and members of his family fled to Moscow.