13.07 Putin, Obama Discussed Snowden Over Phone Kremlin
MOSCOW, July 13 (RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama have discussed by phone urgent bilateral relations issues as well as the situation around fugitive US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, the Kremlin said Saturday.
On the initiative of the American side, the two presidents had a telephone conversation. Putin and Obama exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and security topics. They also discussed the situation around Snowden, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said without giving any details of the talks.
The White House later issued a similar statement, confirming the talks but avoiding elaboration on the issue.
Snowden, who is wanted by Washington on charges of espionage and property theft after he leaked details of secret state surveillance programs, has been holed up in a transit zone at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport since his arrival on a June 23 flight from Hong Kong.
During a meeting with a dozen prominent Russian lawyers and rights activists at the airport on Friday, Snowden announced plans to ask for temporary asylum in Russia hoping to arrange an eventual safe passage to Latin America.
