Putin offers asylum to fired FBI chief Comey

Russian President Vladimir  yesterday mockingly offered ex-FBI chief James Comey asylum during his annual televised chat with the Russian people, reports AFP. But the Kremlin strongman appeared rattled when facing tougher questioning from journalists at the end of the four-hour phone-in event, angrily accusing a BBC reporter of supporting jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Putin also refused to be drawn on whether he will stand for a fourth term in 2018. During the television show aimed at a domestic audience, Putin insisted the latest US sanctions over alleged election meddling are efforts to "contain Russia".
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve further sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. "The United States is not our enemy," Putin said, but he complained of Russia facing sanctions "throughout all of our history" from global partners who fear a "serious competitor".
He also jokingly suggested offering political asylum to fired FBI director James Comey -- who had been overseeing the bureau's Russia investigation -- likening him to fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden, who has asylum in Russia.

Putin offers asylum to fired FBI chief Comey

Russian President Vladimir yesterday mockingly offered ex-FBI chief James Comey asylum during his annual televised chat with the Russian people, reports AFP. But the Kremlin strongman appeared rattled when facing tougher questioning from journalists at the end of the four-hour phone-in event, angrily accusing a BBC reporter of supporting jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Putin also refused to be drawn on whether he will stand for a fourth term in 2018. During the television show aimed at a domestic audience, Putin insisted the latest US sanctions over alleged election meddling are efforts to contain Russia. The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve further sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. The United States is not our enemy, Putin said, but he complained of Russia facing sanctions throughout all of our history from global partners who fear a serious competitor. He also jokingly suggested offering political asylum to fired FBI director James Comey -- who had been overseeing the bureaus Russia investigation -- likening him to fugitive NSA leaker Edward Snowden, who has asylum in Russia.