Asylum “offer”:

Vladimir Putin has said that if EX-FBI director James Comey is persecuted as a result of falling out with President Trump, Russia stands ready to offer him political asylum. Putin made the apparently humorous offer during his annual four-hour TV phone-in, in which he answers questions submitted by the public. Surprisingly, viewers’ comments – submitted online, and apparently unedited – briefly appeared on screen, and made for a strange contrast with the relatively respectful questioning. Messages included: “When will you stop violating the constitutional rule about a maximum of two presidential terms?”, and “Putin, do you really think people believe this circus with the prearranged questions?” ( See page 16.)