[Slyfox]

Is there really any similarity between the Snowden's and Raskolnikov's deeds?

Nope.

[Gaffer]

At this point, what does it matter? (oh, deja vu all over again)

This is all Kabuki of the finest genre. Pretense of bureaucratic dilemma, worthless paperwork, all of it.

Truth is Putin could let him in whenever he wants - just a silly ass game jockeying for something he wants from Idiot Obama.