BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior official of the n Migration Service has said that Russia will not expel former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden who is seeking temporary asylum in Russia.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the official also said that Snowden would not become a part of a deal between Russia and the US as this contradicts the law of Russia and the convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir gave his clearest signal yet that he would not let a dispute over the fate of Snowden derail relations with the .

Putin said he believed relations between Russia and the US "are far more important than squabbles about the activities of the secret services." And any action by Snowden that could cause damage to Russia-US relations is unacceptable. Still, Putin accuses the US of trapping Snowden, while Russia has kept him at an arm’s length.

(Source: CNTV.cn)