Putin promised to talk to Assad about US journalist missing in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to talk to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad about the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in the Middle Eastern country about 12 years ago. Tice's fate remains unknown to his loved ones during the "Results of the Year" program on Dec. 19, NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons told the Russian leader.

"I have not yet seen President Assad since he came to Moscow, but I plan to do so. I will certainly talk to him. But you and I are adults and we understand that 12 years ago a man went missing in Syria. We understand the situation there 12 years ago. There was active fighting there, on both sides. Does President Assad himself know what happened to an American citizen, a journalist, who, I understand, was doing his journalistic duty in a war zone? But nevertheless, I promise that I will definitely ask this question," the head of state noted

Earlier, on December 19, NBC reported that Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, sent a message to the Russian president with a request to help find her son, who disappeared 12 years ago in Syria. The woman said she was ready to meet her son in Moscow or anywhere else to bring him home.

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In December, U.S. President Joe Biden noted during a speech at the White House that Washington expects to bring back American journalist Austin Tice, allegedly in Syria. The White House administration believes he is alive. Tice was a freelance reporter and also worked for publications such as The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. In August 2012, he disappeared in Syria. It was later reported that the American journalist was allegedly found to have violated migration laws and was convicted under local laws.

On October 19, 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that a senior U.S. administration official, Cash Patel, flew to Damascus for talks with Syrian authorities to negotiate the release of Americans allegedly held in Syria, including Austin Tice.

The direct line with Vladimir Putin in 2024 is combined with a press conference for the media. The format, titled "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin," allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and global agenda, which journalists often ask about.

Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in Russia have also received invitations to the events. As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million. The first live broadcast was held in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.