Even if the Kremlin’s relationship with the United States significantly thaws under a President Trump, Edward Snowden is guaranteed another two years’ residency in Russia, The Guardian reported Wednesday. A Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman wrote on Facebook that Snowden’s right to stay in the country had been extended “by a couple of years,” disputing claims that the National Security Agency whistleblower could be used as a bargaining chip in Putin-Trump negotiations. Additionally, in a separate statement, Snowden’s lawyer said his client has “every legal basis to get Russian citizenship,” further suggesting the leaker intends to stay beyond the extra two years.
