General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Snowden: Vladimir Putin must be called to account on surveillance just like Obama [View all]stevenleser
(32,886 posts)He chose to kill Litvinenko in a way that was both painful and drawn out on the one hand and public and a warning to others who might cross him on the other. FSB/GRU/SVR is well versed in killing people in ways to make it look like an accident if the order had called for that. No, Putin WANTED Litvinenko's death to send a public message and he didnt care at all that it would be obvious he had him killed and would generate controversy.
Who would take Putin to task for killing or disappearing Snowden? Do you think any western government would do more than lodge a tepid complaint? Do you think Putin would face criticism in Russia for it? Russia/Russians despise(s) traitors and that is how they regard Snowden. A useful traitor. No one in Russia is going to stick their necks out to criticize Putin for what they regard as a useful traitor.
Do you think Putin cares that some small grassroots groups in the US and Europe would be unhappy if Snowden disappeared or had an "accident"?
Here is the likeliest scenario in my opinion. The video question was staged to make Snowden appear good for supposedly asking the question, and Putin got the chance to deny surveillance of his people. It misfired so badly that they hastily threw together this article by Snowden to try to get some semblance of legitimacy back for him. The article doesnt actually do any real criticism of Putin and does just enough that Snowden might regain credibility in the eyes of his hardcore supporters. You yourself are proof enough of that.
Putin would have no problems killing or disappearing Snowden. In fact, if he ever annoys Putin, I expect they will disappear him quickly and simply not respond to questions about him or claim they put him on a plane somewhere to be safe. And we would never hear about him again.
Putin has approved everything that Snowden has done since landing in Russia, or Snowden would no longer be among the living. It's that simple.