Putin says US-Russia relations more important than Snowden scandal

Russian president Vladimir Putin has reportedly said that relations between US and Russia are far more important than the 'squabbles' surrounding the security scandal involving whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Amidst confirmation of Snowden formally applying for temporary asylum in Russia, Putin said that Russia wants to continue the US-Russia relationship unimpeded by Snowden's issue, the Courier Mail reports.

Snowden had been holed up at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for three weeks and due to lack of travel documents to claim asylum in Latin America has meanwhile applied to Russian asylum.

Putin said that it is Snowden's fate and his choice to seek asylum in Russia and reiterated his stand that he will be granted asylum only if he accepts the condition to stop releasing US secret information.

The report further added Putin saying that Russia has its own state interests, including those directed at building Russia-US relations.