Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he sees signs of Edward Snowden “shifting his position” and seems to be refraining from “political activity” directed against the U.S., as quoted by Reuters.
Putin said that the United States was to blame for the NSA leaker’s location in Russia, adding that if Snowden wants official refuge in the country, he must not do anything that is harmful to the U.S.
“He came to our territory without invitation, we did not invite him. And we weren’t his final destination. He was flying in transit to other states. But the moment he was in the air … our American partners, in fact, blocked his further flight,” Putin said, according to Reuters. “As soon as there is an opportunity for him to move elsewhere, I hope he will do that. The conditions for granting 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.”
