President Vladimir Putin insists Russia "achieved its goals" in Syria by stopping the development of a "terrorist enclave" despite the toppling of his long-term ally Bashar al-Assad last week. Regarding Russia's remaining Mediterranean naval and airbases in Tartus and Hmeimim, Putin also insists that he will decide on their future "without any regard for other people's opinions" but claims that he has offered their use to other countries for humanitarian purposes. SOUNDBITES