Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday rejected the Obama administration’s calls to extradite National Security Agency (NSA) leaker Edward Snowden to the United States, a move likely to increase tensions between Moscow and Washington.
"Snowden is a free person," Putin told reporters in Finland, according to Kremlin-funded Russia Today network. "The sooner he chooses his final destination, the better it is for him and Russia."
Putin said Snowden had not committed any crimes in Russia and that there was no extradition treaty with the United States. He said Snowden remained in the transit zone of the Moscow airport, out of the reach of Russian authorities.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that Snowden had “not crossed the Russian border,” and blasted U.S. demands for Moscow to act.
“We consider the attempts to accuse the Russian side of violating U.S. laws, and practically of involvement in a plot, to be absolutely groundless and unacceptable,” he said
More @ The Hill
One thing I like about Russia is that they don't cower. They will push until you make them stop.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely and agreed.
DeleteTime for obama to bring out the can of "plead/beg/whine-ass."
ReplyDeleteHeh!:)
DeleteWhile I have mixed emotions about anyone releasing classified material. There are extreme cases where the leak is justified. This leak exposed a corrupt government spying one not only its own citizens but damn near every person on earth. Now they want to crucify Edward Snowden for revealing their traitorous secret and crimes. After deliberation I would judge Edward Snowden a hero and patriot. Not only to America but the entire world. The secret is out, America spies on the world not just governments which is expected but every private citizen. Is our government's leaders planning not only to enslave every American but every person in the world?
ReplyDeleteBadger
100% in agreement.
Delete