(23.11.2015) (Answering a journalist‘s question on the situation in Syria.)

Vladimir Putin: I have a positive assessment of our pilots’ work. Today, I informed our Iranian friends about these matters and we exchanged views on the situation in Syria.

As for our troops’ actions, this is a complex operation involving major satellite support and various air force resources. These include attack planes, bombers, strategic missile-carrying bombers, fighter jets that are covering them, and two fleet groupings in the Caspian and Mediterranean seas, including missile carriers which are striking from the Caspian Sea basin. Naturally, all this is done in agreement with our Iranian partners; I think it would simply be impossible without their participation.

This is complicated, extensive work in coordination and technology maintenance, which serves as evidence of our officers’ and troops’ high level of training. These efforts are bringing positive results and our joint assessment was constructive. But I want to say again that there is no other option for resolving the Syrian problem in the long-term other than through political negotiations.