Russia President Vladimir Putin said he envies President Obama's spying program during a Thursday news conference in Russia. USA Today is reporting that Putin defended espionage and called it "one of the oldest professions in the world, just like some other well-known professions - we won't mention them here."

Moving beyond Putin's reference to prostitution, he also mentioned that governmental regulations are necessary:

On political level, it's necessary to limit the appetite of special services with certain rules.

But when he was asked how he felt about Obama when it comes to NSA leaker Edward Snowden, Putin said:

I envy him, because he can get away with it.

Putin assured the world that he is not working with Snowden, despite granting him political asylum earlier this year.

We are not going to help him, just give him shelter.

All of this from the mouth of a former lieutenant colonel in the intelligence gathering agency, the KGB.