The administration of US President Barack Obama has said Washington is Å“extremely disappointed” that Russia granted American whistleblower Edward Snowden temporary asylum.
Å“We are extremely disappointed that the Russian government would take this step,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney on Thursday.
Snowden, who was holed up in the transit zone of Moscowâ„¢s Sheremetyevo airport for more than a month, was allowed Thursday to leave the airport after he was granted temporary asylum in Russia.
The Obama White House also said that it is reconsidering if Obama needs to take part in a summit this fall with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Å“We are evaluating the utility of the summit in light of this,” Carney said.
Meanwhile, US Senator John McCain has urged action against Russia for granting asylum to Snowden, saying Å“now is the time to fundamentally rethink our relationship with Putinâ„¢s Russia.”
Å“The first thing we should do is significantly expand the Magnitsky Act list,” said McCain.
The US law known as the Magnitsky Act imposes sanctions on a number of Russian officials who were allegedly involved in the imprisonment of Sergey Magnitsky, who died in prison while under investigation for tax fraud. Magnitsky was an accountant and auditor working for a British investment fund.
McCain also proposed that Washington Å“should push for the completion of all phases of our missile defense programs in Europe, and move expeditiously on another round of NATO expansion, including the Republic of Georgia.”
In a phone interview with Press TV on Thursday, American author and radio host Stephen Lendman said Russiaâ„¢s granting temporary asylum to Snowden would not affect US-Russia relations any more than they are affected already by the US governmentâ„¢s provocative actions.
Å“There are much, much bigger fish to fry. America has encircled Russia with military bases. It targets Russia with so-called missile defense that are offense. Snowdenâ„¢s a side issue,” said Lendman.
ISH/ISH
Republished from: Press TV