Dmitry Ryurikov, former Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador,1st-class State Advisor, a consultant of the director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, said that ex-agent of the CIA Edward Snowden was not a factor in the recent cooling of Russian-US relations.
He believes that respect of sovereignty and non-interference in home affairs of other states have not been discussed enough yet.
Ryurikov pointed out that settlement of the Syrian crisis will depend on readiness of countries to fulfill obligations. He noted that one of the sides of conflict wanted negotiations, while the other one was being supported by direct or indirect foreign support.
The third factor of Russian-US relations were special services, but not the role of Snowden, he added. Snowden arrived in Russia himself and had no other choice.
The ex-ambassador said that the tragedy was hidden in the fact that Presidents Putin and Obama had not met in autumn.
