Even though he intends to eventually travel to Latin America, ex-intelligence contractor turned WikiLeaks source, Eric Snowden is seeking temporary asylum in Russia.

According to Deputy Head of Human Right Watch in Moscow, Tanya Lokshina, Snowden “in order to be guaranteed safety here in Russia, the only way for him to go was to file a formal asylum plea.” She pointed out that Snowden would like to continue on to his destination of Latin America at a later date.

Snowden said he will file a formal asylum request with the Russian government on Friday. He made his announcement at a meeting with activists at the transit area of the airport in his first appearance since arriving at the airport on June 23rd.

In a statement to human rights activists, Snowden said, “A little over one month ago, I had family, a home in paradise, I also had the capability without any warrant to search for, seize, and read your communications. Anyone’s communications at any time. That is the power to change people’s fates.”

Kremlin Lawmaker Vyacheslav Nikonov, who was present at Snowden’s announcement today said that Snowden was serious about attaining asylum in Russia. Nikonov pointed out that Snowden has said that he has given up on his political activity against the U.S. saying all that “activity is in the past.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “As far as we know, he considers himself a defender of human rights and a campaigner for democratic ideals.” But, Peskov added that Snowden should “fully refrain from actions inflicting damage on our American partners and on Russian-American relations.”

Snowden has likened himself to a whistle-blower with the revelation of spying activities of American citizen’s emails, phone logs and texts as well as the U.S. and Britain’s spying activities on dignitaries of other countries.

But, the U.S. does not see it that way. “I was contacted on my phone on my way to the airport on behalf of the ambassador and they asked me to relay to Snowden the official position of the U.S. authorities – that he is not a whistleblower, but had broken the law and should be held accountable,” Lokshina said.

White House Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters today at a WHiter House press conference that it was not the White House’s wish that the Snowden affair “do harm to the relations between Russia and the United States.”

Carney continued, saying “We are working with the Russians and have made clear to the Russians our views about the fact that Mr. Snowden has been charged with very serious crimes, and that he should be returned to the United States where he will be granted full due process and every right available to him as a United States citizen facing our justice system under the Constitution.”

Snowden is facing at least three felonies for his leaking of information.