Is Putin Recruiting Edward Snowden
Edward Snowden petitioned President Putin for over ten years to grant him Russian citizenship. Putin suddenly approved his petition.
Only one thing explains him doing so. He wants to use Snowden as his poster boy to mobilize more Russians as cannon fodder in Ukraine.
After all, Putin could point to this American’s willingness to die for Mother Russia. And he would imply that all patriotic Russians must be willing to die.
What about extradition for espionage?
Last week, Snowden received his passport and pledged his allegiance to Russia. The Washington Post led all media in making much ado about him doing so.
But they all characterized this as a belated ploy to immunize Snowden against extradition to the United States. That’s because he still faces notorious espionage charges.
Whatever the case, Snowden is outing himself as a traitor and a Neo-Fascist sympathizer to boot. After all, he’s taking pride in swearing allegiance to Putin’s Russia while it’s waging a genocidal war to exterminate Ukrainians. That’s like swearing allegiance to Hitler’s Germany while it was waging a genocidal war to exterminate Jews.
Putin’s intent
Meanwhile, Snowden’s notorious self-righteousness is blinding him to Putin’s clear intent. Putin is a former KGB spy for whom patriotism is everything. So he has nothing but contempt for Snowden. Putin sees him as a useful idiot who betrayed his country. And Putin would sooner use him than Russian convicts as cannon fodder.
So yes, Putin would happily hail Snowden as a “national hero” (think sacrificial lamb). After all, he could use Snowden’s “bravery” to shame the Russian men who heeded his clarion call by fleeing for the borders to dodge military service.
In any event, this Snowden PR stunt presages a second mobilization, which Putin promised would never come. He also promised there would be no need for martial law in Russia. But it’s only a matter of time before he breaks that promise too.