MOSCOW (WRC NEWS) — Edward Snowden's lawyer has informed him that he is legally eligible to obtain permanent Russian citizenship, following the announcement that his asylum status has been extended by 3 years.

#Russia extends Edward Snowden's residency for 3 years. His lawyer says the NSA-contracted US whistleblower qualifies for Russian citizenship..

— The Ankara Times (@TheAnkaraTimes) January 18, 2017

Edward #Snowden's lawyer says he has "every legal basis to get Russian citizenship". Looks like he'll not be #Putin's gift to #Trump.

— Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) January 18, 2017

The former NSA contractor turned whistleblower has lived in Russia for the last three years.

"Essentially, he now has every reason to apply for [Russian] citizenship in the future, in a while, as the law [states] that one needs to spend no less than 5 years on the territory of Russia [to be granted citizenship]," Snowden's lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told RIA Novosti news agency.