As the former National Security Agency contractor turned fugitive Edward Snowden continues to hide from U.S. authorities in Russia, Russian president Vladimir Putin stated: “It’s clear now that we won’t give [Edward Snowden] away, he should feel safe here.” While Snowden has temporary asylum in Russia, Putin noted “basically he doomed himself to a pretty difficult life. What will he do next, I don’t even imagine.” President Obama withdrew from a summit with Putin last month after Russia granted asylum to the former NSA contractor.
Previously Russia had reportedly given Snowden the condition that he must halt activity that hurts the U.S. in exchange for asylum. “We have national interest,” Putin said, “and we don’t want to undermine […] U.S.-Russian ties.” Putin claims that Russian intelligence has not obtained any information from Snowden.