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If I were Putin, I'd keep Snowden as some sort of bargaining chip, although as years go on, Snowden's value as such a chip would continue to decrease that the A
by netsharc 3y ago
If I were Putin, I'd keep Snowden as some sort of bargaining chip, although as years go on, Snowden's value as such a chip would continue to decrease that the Americans would probably refuse that barter, preferring to see Putin get screwed rather than to capture Snowden.
But if I were Snowden I'd be worried about the regime after Putin, imagine a backroom deal where the US government secretly says "We'll help you get to power in Moscow if you agree to withdraw out of Ukraine, and give us Snowden."
- hollerith 3y agoSure, there is that, but also any Russian administration will want the employees of their enemies to feel safe defecting to Russia. I.e., if the Kremlin gives Snowden to the US, future employees of the US intelligence community become less likely to choose to switch their allegiance to the Russian side.
- DANmode 3y agoHappy to have as a chip? Sure. Willing to be shown making effort to that end? That is different.