Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that he hopes NSA leaker Edward Snowden will leave the country at the first opportunity, but also signaled that he had been making steps to reach Russia’s asylum requirements.
Snowden, 30, has been in Russia since June 23, having flown there from Hong Kong in hopes of travelling to another country that would offer him asylum, according to Reuters.
Putin has been sure to clarify that his government did not want Snowden to come to Russia. “He arrived on our territory without an invitation, he was not flying to us - he was flying in transit to other countries. But as soon as he got in the air it became known, and our American partners, in fact, blocked his further flight,” Putin said, referring to the U.S.’s revoking of Snowden’s passport, reports Reuters
Russia’s leader has been continuously wary of Snowden remaining in Russia due to fears of damaging relations with Washington.
“As soon as there is an opportunity for him to move elsewhere, I hope he will do that,” Putin said, but remains open to Snowden staying in Russia.
“The conditions for (Russia) granting him political asylum are known to him. And judging by his latest actions, he is shifting his position. But the situation has not been clarified yet.”
At a meeting (above) in Sheremyetevo’s transit area on Friday, Snowden told human rights activists that he would pursue temporary asylum in Russia until he can travel safely to Latin America.
Nicaragua, Venezuela and Bolivia have all offered him asylum, but there are no direct flights from Moscow to any of these countries, so he would risk being stopped in another country.
Images: WikiCommons,
