But he is no traitor: Russian President

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.

Mr. Snowden, 33, was given asylum in Russia in 2013 after leaking classified information about U.S. spy operations.

His lawyer said in January Mr. Snowden had the right to remain in Russia until 2020 and to apply for Russian citizenship next year.

‘Did not betray’

Mr. Putin, a former KGB officer and ex-head of Russia’s FSB security service, made his comments about Mr. Snowden in an interview with United States 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 Mr. Putin.

“He [Mr. Snowden] did not betray the interests of his country, nor did he transfer any information to any other country that would damage his own people,” Mr. Putin said.

However, the Russian leader said Mr. Snowden should have resigned from his job in the same way he once resigned from the KGB rather than leak secrets if he didn’t like what he was doing.