Obama-Putin meeting was canceled due to Snowden case

U.S. President Barack Obama had canceled the meeting scheduled for September in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as said by the White House.

The White House has justified this decision, among other reasons, with the “disappointing” Russia’s decision to grant temporary asylum to the former contractor of the National Security Agency (NSA), Edward Snowden, after the United States had claimed his delivery to stand trial for espionage charges.

Washington said that, although they have highlighted the “achievements” between the two countries, they have also taken into account “the lack of progress” on some other issues, such as anti-missile defense and gun control, trade relations, global security and human rights situation, and Russia’s disappointing decision of granting temporary asylum to Edward Snowden.

Obama will go in September to St. Petersburg to participate in the G20 summit, but admitted he was “disappointed” by Russia’s decision regarding Snowden, but the meeting for tomorrow in Washington between the defense and foreign ministers of both countries, keeps on schedule.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin today expressed its “disappointment” over the meeting cancellation by Washington.