Can you elaborate on that? Any concrete examples of how they were doing this?
From the same Putin's regime we hear the same about the US, although just guesses, no facts. I'm curious how the west sees that.
Its not a rigorous example, but I think the front page of RT (the Russian - state backed media outlet) is a good example. Most of the US based stories are highly critical of the US government. It's also no coincidence that Julian Assange has his own show on RT.
I also believe Russia's backing of Assad is mostly an attempt to block Western influence in the middle east. But there's probably a number of reason and thats just one.
In my opinion, being exiled from your home and living the rest of your life with the world superpower ready to kidnap you is relatively bruising.
:-)
The only thing I hold against him is his failure, as promised, to hang Georgian president by his balls. Eating necktie is a weak substitute.
For one random example (not being a huge student of 21st century Russia), he promised Bush that he wasn't arming Saddam's troops. Turned out they were outfitted with a lot of Russian anti-tank and night vision gear when we got there.
That doesn't say anything about Russia arming Saddam's troops. I'm sure there are a lot of cases U.S. arming their "allies" and then these weapons in some way became available to terrorists...
I simply don't think it is possible to know and predict how and by whom weapons will be used.
It's a he said, she said, of course.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045848/Vladimir-Put...
Remember, he comes from the KGB, eventually rising to be the FSB director (the KGB successor).
Putin is a man of his word, and expects the same from Snowden.
Information may continue to leak, but not from Snowden. His part of the show is finished (and luckily for him, he's not even bruised!).