Kerry: US wants no confrontation with Russia

Secretary of State John Kerry AP FILE PHOTO

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States is not looking for a confrontation with Russia, where admitted NSA leaker Edward Snowden is believed to be hiding.

Speaking at a news conference in Saudi Arabia, Kerry says it’s true that the United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia but called on Moscow to comply with common law practices between countries where fugitives are concerned.

Kerry said, “I would simply appeal for calm and reasonableness. We would hope that Russia would not side with someone who is ‘a fugitive’ from justice.’ ”

Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, earlier Tuesday bluntly rejected U.S. demands for Snowden, saying the American hadn’t crossed the Russian border.

Lavrov insisted that Russia has nothing to do with him or his travel plans.