Putin to Meet Bashar Al-Assad and Discuss Missing Journalist Austin Tice

Vladimir Putin has pledged to raise the case of missing American journalist Austin Tice during an upcoming meeting with Syrian ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, who recently sought refuge in Russia after his regime was overthrown by opposition forces.

The Russian leader made the statement during his annual Direct Line broadcast on December 19, noting that while he has not yet met with al-Assad, a meeting is planned.

"But when I do, I promise to discuss this issue [Tice's disappearance], as well as with the new authorities in Syria," Putin said.

Putin also assured that he would ask both Assad and Syria's new leadership about the fate of Austin Tice, who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. The journalist's mother had sent a letter to Putin ahead of the "Direct Line," requesting that he inquire about her son's whereabouts through Assad.

“We are adults and understand that a person went missing in Syria 12 years ago. We understand what the situation was like there, with active combat on both sides," said Putin, adding that he wasn't sure Assad knew anything about the missing journalist but nevertheless promised to ask him about it during their upcoming meeting

Tice, a former US Marine and freelance journalist from Houston, was kidnapped in August 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. Following his disappearance, the US State Department claimed he was being detained by the Syrian government, a charge Assad has consistently denied.