FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE: Putin could hand whistleblower Snowden to US as a ‘gift’ to Trump

US intelligence is believed to have uncovered Russian deliberations over the fugitive American, and claim handing over Snowden is one of a string of initiative to “curry favour” with the newly sworn in President.

It comes as Putin and Trump embrace hopes of a stronger union between the two Cold War nations, and look to negotiate sanctions imposed by the Obama administration on Russia.

Snowden, who will face felony charges if he returns to the US, has been described by Trump as “a traitor”.

While Snowden’s lawyer has claimed he has received “no such signals” of a deal, the whistleblower has said he is “encouraged” by the news.

He said: “It wasn’t that many years ago that people were saying ‘this guy is a Russian spy’ –but countries don’t give up their spies.

“And if my recent criticisms of Russian internet policies, criticism of their human rights have been so severe that even my greatest critics in the intelligence community are now saying ‘he’s a liability, they want to get him out of there’, that’s a vindication of the fact I’m independent.

Although Snowden sees intelligence statements as a boost to his credibility, he is still concerned about being handed over to Trump’s America.

He added: “that would obviously be something that would bother me.

“That would obviously be something that would be a threat to my liberty and to my life.

“But what I’m saying here is that you can’t have it both ways.

“You can’t say ‘this guy’s a bad guy who’s like a Russian tool’ or something like that and at the same time say ‘he’s going to be traded away’.”

A State Department official told Express.co.uk: “Mr. Snowden is accused of leaking classified information and faces felony charges here in the United States.”

It comes after Russia extended Snowden’s asylum agreement – and claimed they would not be interested in trading the high profile whistleblower.

Last month Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, hit out at calls from former acting director of the CIA Michael J Morell to extradite Mr Snowden as a gesture of goodwill towards the Trump administration.

She said: “The funniest thing is that the former deputy director of the C.I.A. does not know that Snowden’s residence permit in Russia was just extended for a couple more years.

“And seriously, the essence of what the CIA agent is suggesting is an ideology of betrayal.

“You spoke, Mr. Morrell, and now it’s clear to everybody that in your office, it’s normal to bring gifts in the form of people, and to hand over those who seek defence.”