Russian President Vladimir Putin, while on a visit to Finland on Tuesday announced that Edward Snowden, wanted in the United States for disclosing secret government information, would not be turned over to U.S. authorities or extradited.

Although he said that he hoped that the Snowden affair would not upset relations with the U.S. Putin also dismissed the U.S. accusations against Russia as “rubbish.” Putin also pointed out that Russia and the United States do not have an extradition agreement.

Putin also stated that Snowden remained at the transit area of the airport in Moscow and was free to leave. He also advised Snowden that he should do so as soon as possible. Snowden can leave on another flight, but cannot leave the airport to travel within Russia without the necessary Russian visa.

It was pointed out by Russia’s foreign minister, Sewrgy Lavrov, that because Snowden is in the transit area and is not in Russian territory, Russia has nothing to do with him or his plans to travel elsewhere.

“We consider the attempts to accuse Russia of violation of U.S. laws and even some sort of conspiracy, which on top of all that are accompanied by threats, as absolutely ungrounded and unacceptable,” Lavrov said. “There are no legal grounds for such conduct of U.S. officials, and we proceed from that.”

Snowden left Hong Kong to Russia on Sunday. It is reported that Snowden is making his way to Equador via Cuba.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said at a press conference in Washington, “The Chinese have emphasized the importance of building mutual trust,” he said. “And we think that they have dealt that effort a serious setback. …This was a deliberate choice by the government to release a fugitive despite a valid arrest warrant, and that decision unquestionably has a negative impact on the U.S.-China relationship.”

But, Hong Kong’s Justice Secretary, Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung said on Tuesday that the U.S. failed to provide crucial information concerning Snowden such as his full name and passport number and that the U.S. did not reply to the request for that information before Snowden left the city on a flight to Russia.

“Therefore, it was impossible and there was no legal basis under Hong Kong law for the Department of Justice to ask a Hong Kong judge to sign off on a provisional arrest warrant,” Yuen said. “there then was no legal basis to restrict or ban Mr Snowden from leaving Hong Kong.”

It is reported that Snowden is traveling with Wikileaks Legal researcher Sarah Harrison, she traveled with him from Hong Kong and is expected to accompany him to his final destination.