The United States has indicated that asylum in Russia for fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden could damage relations between Washington and Moscow, dpa reported.
"The providing of a propaganda platform for Mr Snowden runs counter to Russia's previous declaration of Russian neutrality," White House spokesman Jay Carney said, hours after Snowden confirmed he would seek temporary asylum in Russia.
The granting of asylum in Russia was "incompatible with Russia's assurances that they don't want Snowden to damage US relations," Carney said.
US President Barack Obama is to talk to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later Friday as part of the ongoing communications on the Snowden affair, Carney said. The call was scheduled several days ago.