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This 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 extra
by znowi 13y ago
This 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.