Edward Snowden: I'm a patriot and I want to return to U.S.

Secretary of State John Kerry has demanded that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden “man up and come back to the United States.” Snowden, in an exclusive interview with NBC News, said if he could go anywhere in the world, “that place would be home.”

When asked if he considers himself a patriot, there was little hesistation from Snowden.

“Yes, I do,” he said.

Kerry disagreed on Wednesday.

“A patriot would not run away.” Kerry said “… He can come home but he’s a fugitive from justice.”

And about his current “home,” Snowden insists he’s not a Russian spy.

“I have no relationship with the Russian government at all,” he said. “I’ve never met the Russian President. I’m not supported by the Russian government. I’m not taking money from the Russian government. I’m not a spy.”

As you’d expect, Snowden’s interview sparked quite a converstaion on Twitter. Is he a patriot as he insists, or a traitor?

This interactive map shows the hashtag activity on Twitter:

Image via NBC News