“The Long Staircase” Joke: Ahmed Al-Sharrah Opens Meeting with Putin with Political and Diplomatic Messages

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharrah opened his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Wednesday with a joking remark: “You have a long staircase… good thing we do some exercise so we can get here without getting tired.”

The phrase quickly went viral on social media, with bloggers and analysts dissecting its meaning as a carefully crafted symbolic and diplomatic statement, blending political savvy with leadership firmness, and presenting the new Syrian leadership as confident both domestically and internationally.

Three Key Messages in One Phrase

Observers noted that Al-Sharrah’s words carried three main underlying messages:

1. Confidence and resilience
Al-Sharrah implied that reaching Moscow and engaging with Russia was not difficult, affirming his strength, decisiveness, and readiness to face challenges. This conveys the image of a leader with authority, presence, and the ability to withstand obstacles.

2. Subtle comparison and implicit messaging
The remark subtly compares the effort and environment on the Russian side with his own ability to adapt and overcome obstacles, portraying himself as someone unyielding and capable of surpassing challenges regardless of their scale.

3. Flexible yet firm diplomacy
The playful reference to exercise lightened the mood, while simultaneously delivering a message that Syria stands firm and cannot be easily pressured, combining smart diplomacy with political steadfastness.

Broader Symbolic Implications

Social media commentators interpreted the line, “Russia’s staircase was long, but we were athletic and managed to reach it without tiring,” as an opening for a meticulously calculated political speech, using what is known as “polite symbolic discourse” to convey serious messages tactfully.

• Message to Russia: Military power alone does not determine outcomes; Syria reached Moscow with confidence and popular legitimacy despite the long path of Russian intervention.
• Message to the Syrian public: “We were athletic” symbolizes the enduring spirit of the Syrian revolution—perseverance, dignity, and determination. Syrians are students of freedom, not students of war.
• Message to the world: Syria is a mature partner capable of dialogue with major powers without violence or threats, emphasizing that the Syrian people are legitimate, not terrorist.

Symbolic Conclusion

Analysts noted that mentioning the “long staircase” could symbolically allude to the effort required of guests at the Kremlin, yet Al-Sharrah turned it into a sign of political fitness, strength, and determination.
The overarching message picked up by social media: “You fought a long time to prevent us from reaching here, but with our resolve, we finally arrived.”