'Russia Does Not Need Snowden'

Many people ask me what we should think of Edward Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence officer who denounced the National Security Agency’s ambitious intelligence program for the surveillance of personal data. Snowden first took refuge in Hong Kong before later traveling through China to arrive in Moscow, from where he plans to fly to Cuba.

There are many aspects of this topic to consider, including the professional, legal and political.

From the legal point of view, Russia has no responsibilities toward Snowden. Much has been written and said about this — he has committed no crimes on Russian territory, Interpol has not addressed Russian legal authorities regarding Snowden’s detainment and Russia has no agreement with the U.S. on the mutual extradition of criminals.

From the political point of view, it would be logical to follow the path of our “friends,” who did not extradite those accused of crimes in Russia, including Litvinenko, Berezovsky, Zakaev and many others.

But I think that it would be correct to return Snowden to the United States. This would force the U.S. to think again about the Department of State’s formation of relations between our two countries and, so to speak, take a look at itself in the mirror. This step would have great resonance not only in the U.S., but in the whole world. It isn’t because the U.S. is suddenly changing its relations with Russia for the better. It’s because such a political step from Russia could significantly increase its political weight, especially in the area of intangible assets. Furthermore, in this case the build-up of assets requires no cost whatsoever, except for political will.

Why Do I Think This?

Well, from the professional point of view, Snowden is by no means a human rights activist. He is a man who consciously chose his profession, agreed not to disclose official secrets, received money for this, but ultimately betrayed both his country and his profession. He has caused considerable damage to the U.S. in many ways. Snowden is nothing more than a traitor. Having betrayed once, such a man can betray again and again. Who knows what kind of offense he could cause to colleagues and bosses in coming up with a new truth which we will defend, calling himself a human rights activist. And then his previous “truth” will not matter, and so on. In this way, Russia does not need Snowden at all. And it is not worth it to gloat over the pain that Snowden’s bile is causing our overseas partner.

So I think that Russia should not be messing around with Snowden. Let the Americans deal with him themselves.