Not to mention he clearly wouldn't be free to talk openly about it.

I think that's why they mentioned Ukraine - to point out that it's always in Snowden's best interest to be critical of the US and US things, and remind us to bear that in mind when considering him and what he says.

Is it wrong to be critical of the USA? I would judge his opinions based on merit, not where he lives and how free he is to talk. It’s telling that he hasn’t vocally supported Russia or really talked about certain related topics, he chooses to focus on what he can talk about rather than fall victim to becoming a Russian asset. Sure, it’s in Russias favor to talk bad about the USA, but if it’s warranted to do so that’s not morally wrong or anything.

In the USA we’re free to talk bad about our government, and suggesting doing so from another country is wrong is not correct. It’s okay to criticize power.

Look at it this way, if someone is paid to say good things about the company they work for, you take what they say with a grain of salt, don't you? Snowden's situation is similar to this, in a way. He's being paid (by being allowed to stay there and to keep breathing) to criticize the US, so shouldn't we take what he says with a grain of salt? I'd argue that in Snowden's case, since it's not just his livelihood at stake (as with a company shill) but his freedom and likely his life, then he has even more incentive to stir the pot, color his statement's in Russia's favor, stretch truths, perhaps even outright lie, since the consequences of not living up to his side of the bargain are so dire.

Note: I'm not saying he definitely does this, but.... grain of salt!

Seems to me like he gave up his freedom for his morals, so I’d trust him more because of that. You always have to weigh someone’s words, anyways, even “Mr USA American Hero” has a bias. Snowden isn’t any less trustworthy than any politician or other person in power, at the very least.