Russia is considering handing over Edward Snowden to US President Donald Trump

Los Angeles : In a bid to please Donald Trump, Russia is now considering turning over Edward Snowden as a "gift" to the US President.

Trump has notably called the NSA leaker a "spy" and a "traitor" who deserves to be executed.

According to the U.S. intelligence report Snowden’s handover is one of various ploys to "curry favor" with Trump. 

Meanwhile, Snowden's ACLU lawyer, Ben Wizner told media that he is unaware of any plans that would send his client back to the United States.

Wizner told NBC, "Team Snowden has received no such signals and has no new reason for concern." 

After hearing the news, Snowden also responded by saying, "Finally: irrefutable evidence that I never cooperated with Russian intel. No country trades away spies, as the rest would fear they're next."

No comment has been made from the White House but the Justice Department has told media that it would welcome the return of Snowden.

Snowden currently faces federal charges that carry a minimum of 30 years in prison for stealing top-secret documents that he gave to journalists in 2013.

He was working as a contractor at a National Security Agency facility in Hawaii when he exposed details of U.S. domestic surveillance programs.

He ended up in Russia after fleeing from Hong Kong after he was charged with violating the U.S. Espionage Act. Moscow granted him refuge and officials say his residency permit was recently extended until 2020.