Famed NSA leaker Edward Snowden says he has not been approached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and could not share sensitive information about U.S. spying programs even if he wanted to.
“I have no relationship with the Russian government at all,” he told NBC’s Brian Williams in an interview that aired late Wednesday. “I’ve never met the Russian president. I’m not supported by the Russian government. I’m not taking money from the Russian government.”
Mr. Snowden kicked off international debate last year by leaking sensitive documents to the media that outline the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of phone records in the United States and targeted interception of online communications from foreigners.
Mr. Snowden fled to Moscow by way of Hong Kong and faces criminal charges back home. But he insists he is not a sitting duck for Russian intelligence authorities who may want to press him on what he knows.
“I took nothing to Russia, so I could give them nothing,” he said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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