Vladimir Putin has given NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden Russian citizenship.
Snowden, 39, fled the US and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013.
The files revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the US National Security Agency, where he was a contractor.
US authorities have for years wanted Snowden returned to the US to face a criminal trial on espionage charges.
The Russian president signed a decree granting citizenship to 75 foreign nationals, according to the Associated Press.
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