Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is under intense diplomatic pressure from the US over the Edward Snowden affair, says the former national security staffer accused of espionage won’t receive political asylum in Russia unless he stops publishing classified documents that harm the interests of the United States. But, you know, Putin would also like everyone to know that he’s no pushover. “Russia never gives up anyone to anybody and is not planning to,” he said. Snowden has reportedly applied to 15 countries for political asylum, in desperation now that Ecuador seems to be shutting its door. [NYT]