Putin will ask Bashar al-Assad about the American journalist missing in Syria 12 years ago

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would ask Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad about the status of an American journalist who disappeared in Syria 12 years ago. Putin held his annual press conference and 'call-in show' on Thursday. It is an annual event that he has been using to maintain a sense of his dominance and demonstrate that he has extensive control over the country's political landscape.

Regarding Russia's economic situation, Putin said that it is on track to grow by about four percent this year. He acknowledged that consumer inflation is at a high level of 9.3 percent, but noted the central bank's efforts to reduce it and stressed that the situation in the economy remains stable.

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Putin said he has not yet met Assad, who has been granted asylum in Moscow, but he plans to meet him and will ask him about American journalist Austin Tice. He said that we can also ask this question to those who control the situation on the ground in Syria.

The event is broadcast live by Russia's state-controlled TV stations and has been dominated by domestic issues in the past few years. Most journalists and members of the public who call the studio ask questions about road repairs, electricity prices, home maintenance, medical services, government subsidies for families, and other economic and social issues.

Russian state media reported that ordinary citizens submitted more than 2 million questions before the show. Questions related to Russia's military action in Ukraine and increasing tensions with Western countries are expected to be asked in this program.

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Putin, however, said Russia was ready to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the conflict but reiterated his demand that Ukraine abandon its desire to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (agency)