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‘US-Russian relations above Snowden case' – Putin
- fastfade 13y agoRussian Refugee camp? - what's that like?
- brokenmusic 13y agoIt's almost as if Putin makes a facepalm and says "Dude, Edward, what the hell? Why would you do this?". And Putin, mind you, is very aware of the balances of power and the GAME. I think he sees very clearly how all this plays out: public at large won't give a shit over time, Snowden is forgotten, governments keep on doing what they've been doing for a long time: farming and milking their citizens.
- mpyne 13y agoI would say he's just been waiting for Russian public support for Snowden to cool down a bit, but then I forget that it seems from the outside that he pretty much doesn't need to consider Russian public opinion.
- jdmitch 13y agoIn the meantime, Snowden may be transferred to a refugee center. These "refugee centres" are known as Temporary Accomodation Centres (TACs), about which Refugee Legal aid [1] states: Temporary Accommodation Centres: TACs are located throughout the Russian Federation and at great distances from metropolitan areas. Transportation to and from a TAC and nearest metropolitan area is often costly and dangerous. I can't imagine that would be a very safe secure environment from Snowden's perspective... [1] http://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/russian-federation-coi#sthash.DoSA6YRq.dpuf http://www.refugeelegalaidinformation.org/russian-federation...
- coldcode 13y agoSure, we spy on our people and your people, and so do you. Our relationship is just fine.
- znowi 13y agoThis unusually respectful rhetoric from both sides hints on that they already agreed on the case. Russia keeps Snowden quiet, the US doesn't bug them with extradition. A win-win for both presidents. Putin saved a poor NSA contractor from the evil Empire. Obama shut down the leak and as a bonus got a "traitor" who fled to the "Soviets".
- hondje 13y agoI feel like you're right, but there has to be more in it for Russia. Obama gets "good" PR and silences Snowden - the best possible outcome. I don't see Putin settling for just good publicity. If Putin played hardball here he would still gain massively with South America and still get the benefits you mentioned
- znowi 13y agoPutin can't afford to play hardball. Despite his macho exterior in the media, he knows that the US has leverage economically and elsewhere.
- cpursley 13y agoI hope so. I married (literally) into US-Russian relations and have family / own property in both nations. Maybe it's time to find a neutral 3rd country?