Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged on Tuesday that he would help find Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria more than a decade ago.
Putin, who answered questions from reporters and the public during a marathon four-and-a-half-hour press conference, said he would raise Tais’ fate with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who ·Assad fled to Russia after the fall of his regime.
“I promise I’ll ask that question,” he said in response to a question from NBC News reporter Keir Simmons, who was in attendance.
Putin, whose comments were translated into English, added that he had not seen Assad since arriving in Russia but, referring to Theis, said “there were people missing 12 years ago and we understand the circumstances.” “
Putin discussed a range of topics during the meeting, including the war in Ukraine, the economy and President Joe Biden, his successor Donald Trump and Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
Putin joked that Biden pardoned his son Hunter before he was convicted on federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges in a separate criminal case, calling his American rival “a politician.”
“It turns out that Biden is more of a human being,” he said. “I don’t blame him.”
When it came to Trump, he dismissed the idea that he would be in a weak position in negotiations with the future president, insisting that he was “prepared.”
He said his “troops are advancing toward Ukraine” and that Russia’s “defense capabilities are among the highest in the world, as is our military industry.”
Asked about a ceasefire, he said it would depend on “whether the United States can convince Kyiv”.
But, he added, “We don’t need a ceasefire, we want long-term peace.”
The annual exhibition is as exciting as the press conference. Journalists and members of the public in halls near the Kremlin waved colorful slogans and placards to attract Putin’s attention.
According to Russian state media, ordinary citizens asked more than 2 million questions before the show.