Putin says Snowden was wrong to leak secrets, but is no traitor

[TexasTowelie]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he believes former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden was wrong to leak U.S. spy secrets, but is no traitor.

Snowden, 33, was given asylum in Russia in 2013 after leaking classified information about U.S. spy operations. His lawyer said in January Snowden had the right to remain in Russia until 2020 and to apply for Russian citizenship next year.

Putin, a former KGB officer and ex-head of Russia's FSB security service, made his comments about Snowden in an interview with U.S. film director Oliver Stone, excerpts of which were released ahead of its broadcast by U.S. TV network Showtime from June 12.

"Snowden is not a traitor," said Putin. "He did not betray the interests of his country, nor did he transfer any information to any other country that would damage his own people," said Putin.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-snowden-idUSKBN18T1T4

[stevenleser]

1. If you believe Putin really believes that, there is an ice bridge in Novaya Zemlya I'd like to sell

you.

There are few groups as insistent on 100% loyalty as the KGB. And whatever else Putin ever will be or becomes, he will always be KGB.

Putin despises Snowden.

[TexasTowelie]

3. I don't believe the article

and Putin is showing that he is also a politician at heart--he will lie about anything if it works to his advantage.

[emulatorloo]

5. Interviewer was Oliver Stone. Putin knows a willing dupe when he sees one.

[hrmjustin]

2. Snowden is a traitor.

You give our secrets to the enemy you are a traitor.

[bettyellen]

4. Putin sucking up to the alt left? He's playing both sides like fiddles.

[emulatorloo]

7. He's good at his job, isn't he?

[bettyellen]

9. Who couldn't foresee him belittling Megan Kelly? And Trump using Elon Musk...

Gotta say, there's no shortage of ego maniacs willing to get in the cage with these assholes to get some attention.
Wish they'd been better prepared.

[Foamfollower]

6. Snowden is a traitor who should spend the rest of his life in SuperMax

[Adrahil]

8. Remember when Putin said there were no Russian soldiers in Ukraine?

Totally reliable.

[bettyellen]

10. I read a couple months ago they were really building up their cold weather capabilities

building ice breaking ships and training troops w sled dogs in Siberia and what not. America has no idea what they're unleashing, and will somehow blame Obama and HRC.

[Adrahil]

11. The GrOPers are complicit. NT