WASHINGTON — Edward Snowden is not a priority over the U.S.-Russian relations, announced Russian President Vladimir Putin. Snowden is currently trapped in a terminal in a Moscow airport after being refused asylum in many countries, although some Socialist Latin American countries are considering his application.
Reuters reports that Putin, who has long been a thorn in the side of the Obama administration, is putting America first.
However, it seems that Snowden’s application for temporary asylum in Russia will go through and be approved by Russia which contradicts Putin’s most recent announcement. Snowden is wanted by the U.S. for leaking sensitive information about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs on Americans and foreign nationals alike.
He had previously thought about granting Snowden asylum, but had not made a final decision.
Putin may be opening himself up to criticism as many Russians would like to see Putin stand up to their Cold War enemy and give Snowden a safe haven. He told reporters that “Bilateral relations, in my opinion, are far more important than squabbles about the activities of the secret services.”
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