State Department: Snowden has long shown his loyalty to Russia

According to him, Washington is aware of reports that Snowden received Russian citizenship, but "is not able to confirm this."

“The only thing I can add is that Mr. Snowden has long signaled his loyalty to Russia,” RIA Novosti quotes him.

Price added that Snowden's obtaining a Russian passport "only formalized it."

Earlier, lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, representing the interests of Snowden, said that his client took the oath and received a Russian passport.