Via RT:
“It is true that Snowden has arrived to Moscow, and it really came as a surprise for us. He arrived as a transit passenger, and didn't need a [Russian] visa, or any other documents. As a transit passenger he is entitled to buy a ticket and fly to wherever he wants,” Vladimir Putin said as he spoke to journalists in Finland.
Edward Snowden is still at the transit area of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, Putin stressed. He said that any accusations against Russia are “nonsense and rubbish,” as the former NSA contractor “has not crossed” the Russian border.
The President also pointed out that there is no extradition treaty between Russia and the US, which makes it impossible to extradite people like Snowden.
“We can only extradite any foreign citizens to such countries with which we have signed the appropriate international agreements on criminal extradition,” he explained.
Snowden “has not committed any crime” on Russian soil, Putin added. Russian security agencies “have never worked with and are not working with” the former CIA employee, he also stressed.
"Snowden is a free person. The sooner he chooses his final destination, the better it is for him and Russia," Putin said.
Following information Snowden released showing the extent of the Obama administration's spying against China, after the U.S. had charged Snowden with espionage and theft and demanded China hand Snowden over to the United States. China then flipped the Obama administration off by allowing Snowden to leave Hong Kong for Moscow.
The Obama administration continues to make demands of Russia and have also ratcheted up their rhetoric against China:
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Monday urged Russia to ultimately turn him over.
"We do expect the Russian government to look at all the options available ... to expel Mr. Snowden back to the United States," Carney said.
Carney was less measured about China.
"The Chinese have emphasized the importance of building mutual trust," he said. "And we think that they have dealt that effort a serious setback. ...This was a deliberate choice by the government to release a fugitive despite a valid arrest warrant, and that decision unquestionably has a negative impact on the U.S.-China relationship."
This rhetoric becomes quite ironic from an administration and Obama, who said in 2009 "there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive." (Video here)
The bottom line is America's influence across the globe has been reduced greatly under Barack Obama and now, when his administration needs that very same influence, they are throwing a fit because other countries refuse to comply and conform to our rule of law, even if it means going against their own.
Russia and China, using Snowden, are showing the world just how weak, ineffectual and helpless Obama has made himself.
Full Wake up America NSA scandal coverage found here.
