During a press conference in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to discuss the case of missing American journalist Austin Tice with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who recently fled to Russia. Putin received a letter from Tice's mother requesting this action. Additionally, Putin addressed questions about Russia's military involvement in Ukraine, the assassination of a Russian general, and the implications for his potential meeting with President-elect Trump. Putin emphasized that Russia has become significantly stronger and more sovereign over the past few years, indicating a reduced dependency on other nations. He expressed readiness for dialogue with Trump, despite not having spoken to him in over four years.