(VOVworld) - Russian President Vladimir Putin says bilateral relations with the US are more important than "squabbles” relating to former CIA employee Edward Snowden.

Last week, Edward Snowden gave a press conference at Sheremetyevo airport in Russia

Putin told reporters on Wednesday that Snowden and similar cases should not complicate bilateral ties. The President affirmed that Russia has important work to do, including to promote Russia-US relations. Mr Putin stressed that Russia is an independent country with an independent foreign policy. He urged others to stay calm and seek to understand the situation.

Putin made the statement after the White House protested Snowden’s application for temporary asylum in Russia to evade a US charge of spying. The President said Russian agencies will not investigate Snowden. Russia has warned that it will not tolerate any activity harmful to Russia-US relations.