Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower, should get out of Russia at the "earliest opportunity," The Russian president said that Edward Snowden had been warned about continuing efforts to damage the United States while he was in the country.President Putin's statements are the latest sign that the 30-year-old former defense contractor Edward Snowden will not be able to seek political asylum in Russia.

Edward Snowden was charged with allegedly disclosing secret United States government anti-terrorism programs under the U.S. Espionage Act Edward Snoden made details about the National Security Agency's surveillance and data-collection network available to the news agencies. Putin said Edward Snowden was offered the chance to apply for political asylum in Russia if he would stop his "political activity." Edward Snowden has been stuck in transit area at Moscow main international airport, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport since arrived from Hong Kong June 23

Russian media outet RT.com reported that President Snowden said "As soon as there is an opportunity for him to move elsewhere, I hope he will do that. He is familiar with the conditions of granting political asylum, and judging by the latest statements, is shifting his position. The situation is not clear now."

Russia's President Putin said that government officials warned Snowden not to continue to "engage in activity that would harm the United States while he was in Russia." Edward Snowden refused. Putin told the Russian news agency RT.com ""He said, 'I want to continue my activity, to fight for human rights and think that U.S. is violating certain regulations, international, intervene in private life and my goal to fight this.' Putin continued "He arrived on our territory without an invitation, he was not flying to us --- he was flying transit to other countries. But as soon as he got in the air it became known, and our American partners, in fact, blocked his further flight."

Putin had earlier told the Russia news agency "Such a present to us. Merry Christmas."

 by Tony Sokol

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