NIZHNY NOVGOROD, December 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the Islamic State (IS, terror group, outlawed in Russia) had been fully defeated on both banks of the Euphrates in Syria.

"Two hours ago, Defense Minister [Sergey Shoigu] reported that the operations on the eastern and western banks of the Euphrates have ended with terrorists’ complete defeat," the head of state told reporters. "Naturally, there can still be some isolated pockets of resistance. However, by and large, combat operations at this stage and on this territory are over. I repeat that they ended with the victory and terrorists’ complete defeat," the president stressed.

Putin noted that it is necessary to go over to the next stage, together with all parties to the Syrian settlement, the Syrian government, regional countries and the UN.

"That’s a political process, the beginning of the political process, efforts to set up and hold the Syrian People’s Congress, as we agreed on during the trilateral meeting between the Russian, Iranian and Turkish presidents in Sochi," he said.

He also mentioned work on the country’s new constitution. "And then, as this process develops, [it is necessary] to go over to the presidential and parliamentary elections," the Russian head of state added.

"This is a big and long-term work. To begin with, it is necessary to at least take first steps, namely, to consolidate the situation, which exists now, to strengthen the de-escalation zones, to make sure that the bloodshed on the Syrian soil ends once and for all and go over to a peaceful political settlement process," Putin said.