Vladimir Putin has resorted to outlandish boasts as his war in Ukraine stalls and his ally in the Middle East Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in Syria last week

A conservative think tank questioned whether he declared trying recreational drugs on his visa application

Mr Timmerman told CBS that he was detained upon entering Syria seven months ago.

An American “pilgrim” who spent months in a Syrian prison has been found wandering the streets after he was freed by rebels who helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime.