White House 'disappointed' with Russia granting temporary asylum to whistleblower Snowden

The US government has expressed its 'extreme disappointment' soon after the Russian authorities granted NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden a temporary asylum for one year.

The White House said that the step by Russia was not a positive development for the bilateral ties between the two nations and undermined Russia's record of law enforcement cooperation with the US, News 24 reports.

According to the report, the White House now re-evaluating whether President Barack Obama should attend an upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Spokesman Jay Carney said that the Russian government took this step and gave no advance notice to the US despite their lawful requests in public and private that Snowden be expelled and returned to them.

Senator John McCain said that Russia's action is a disgrace and a deliberate effort to embarrass the US and it is high-time to rethink the relationship with the country.

The report said that also Russia's move could strain US-Russian relations over Syria, American criticism of Russia's human rights record and other disputes.

Carney added that Snowden is not a whistleblower or a dissident but is accused of leaking classified information and he should be returned to the US as soon as possible, the report said.