Putin: We are in constant contact with Erdoğan, but I don't know when we last spoke.

After the armed opposition in Syria overthrew the 61-year Ba'ath regime, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who welcomed Bashar al-Assad, who fled his country, made striking evaluations regarding the developments in the region.

"WE HAVE NEVER BEEN DEFEATED IN SYRIA"

Stating that Russia has not been defeated in Syria, Putin said they entered Syria 10 years ago to eliminate terrorist groups, adding, "In general, we have achieved our goal. Even the groups that clashed with Assad regime forces have changed. European countries and the USA want to establish relations with these groups. If these groups are terrorist organizations, why do you want to do that? It means they have changed. This also means that the goals have been achieved."

"350 OPPOSITION FIGHTERS ENTERED ALEPPO"

Pointing out that the opposition forces in Syria are advancing rapidly, Putin stated, "350 opposition fighters entered Aleppo, while 30,000 government soldiers and Iranian-backed units retreated without fighting, blew up their own positions, and left. A similar situation occurred throughout Syria."

"WE TRANSPORTED 4,000 IRANIAN-BACKED FIGHTERS TO TEHRAN"

Explaining that Iran previously asked Russia for help in transporting its troops to Syria, Putin said, "Now, they (Iranians) have asked us to withdraw these troops from Syria. We transported 4,000 Iranian-backed fighters to Tehran using the Hmeymim airbase. Some of the Iranian-backed groups went to Lebanon without fighting, while others went to Iraq."

Noting that the situation in Syria is "not simple," Putin shared the hope that peace and stability will be established in the country, stating, "We continue to maintain contact with all groups and regional countries that keep the situation in Syria under control. Many of them are in favor of our bases remaining in Syria. We will consider this. We need to decide how relations will progress with the political groups that control the situation in the country and will control it in the future. Our interests need to align."

"I HAVE NOT YET MET WITH BASHAR AL-ASSAD"

Stating that they proposed to partners to use the Russian Hmeymim airbase for delivering humanitarian aid to Syria, Putin said, "This proposal was met with understanding and a request to organize joint efforts. This also applies to the Tartus base." Putin mentioned that he has not yet met with Bashar al-Assad, who sought refuge in Russia with his family, but he plans to do so.

"ISRAEL WAS THE REAL WINNER IN SYRIA"

Putin also noted that the real winner in Syria was Israel, stating, "They benefited the most from the current situation in the region."

"WE DEFINITELY DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN THE REGION WITH ERDOGAN"

In response to a journalist's question, "Did you meet with President Erdoğan?" Putin said, "We are in constant contact, but I don't know when we last met. We definitely discussed the situation in the region."