Relations between Russia and Syria have always been friendly, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Syria’s visiting interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, TASS reports.

“Over the decades, special relations have developed between our countries. For more than 80 years, we have maintained diplomatic ties; moreover, they were established during the most difficult times for Russia and the [former] Soviet Union — in 1944. Throughout this time, relations between Syria and Russia have been exclusively friendly,” Putin emphasized.

Moscow has always been guided by the interests of the Syrian people in its relations with Damascus, the Russian president said.

“In Russia, we have never had any relations with Syria that were linked to our political circumstances or special interests. Over these decades, we have always been guided by one thing: the interests of the Syrian people,” Putin said.