( CNN ) -- U.S. intelligence officials would not rule out the possibility on Tuesday that admitted National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden has been meeting secretly with Russian authorities , who have given him asylum from U.S. prosecution . The subject of Russia dominated a House Intelligence Committee hearing , featuring testimony from the director of national intelligence , as well as the heads of the CIA , FBI , and Defense Intelligence Agency . DNI James Clapper told lawmakers it was `` certainly a possibility '' Russian intelligence services have spoken with Snowden , the former National Security Agency contractor whose disclosure of sensitive surveillance methods has caused a political uproar . `` I would find it incredulous if they did n't , '' said Clapper , about any efforts to influence Snowden by the FSB , Russia 's state security organization . At least a half-dozen lawmakers raised broader concerns about Russia 's global influence in areas like : . -- The civil war in Syria , where Russia has long supported the regime of President Bashar al-Assad . -- Support of Ukraine 's current leadership , whose policies have prompted massive citizen demonstrations in the capital Kiev in recent weeks . -- The Winter Olympics , which begin later this week in the Black Sea resort of Sochi . U.S. officials have raised concerns about what they call a lack of security cooperation to ensure the safety of American athletes and interests . `` I do think that this is somewhat reflective of current leadership in Russia , '' said Clapper . `` I think there is clearly a desire to return to great global power status . And I think that colors the behavior of the Russian government in the pursuit of their interests in which they are competitive with us . '' Committee chairman Mike Rogers pressed FBI Director James Comey about whether journalists or news organizations could be held accountable for publishing sensitive material Snowden might still have in his possession . Documents he has admitted taking from secure NSA databases were exposed last summer , revealing the existence of vast American surveillance of electronic metadata relating to phone records and e-mail . `` So if I 'm a newspaper reporter for , fill-in-the-blank , and I sell stolen material , is that legal because I 'm a newspaper reporter ? '' Rogers , a Michigan Republican , asked . `` Right , if you 're a newspaper reporter and you 're hocking stolen jewelry , it 's still a crime , '' Comey replied . Rogers then asked : `` And if I 'm hocking stolen classified material that I 'm not legally in possession of , for personal gain and profit , is that not a crime ? '' Comey responded : `` I think that 's a harder question , because it involves a newsgathering function . It could have First Amendment implications . '' He would not talk specifics , calling the Snowden leaks an `` active investigation . '' Clapper later said less than 10 percent of the documents Snowden allegedly took with him overseas has to do with `` domestic surveillance . '' He also had a personal message for Snowden , who has been charged in federal court with espionage . `` Snowden , for his part , claims that he 's won and that his mission is accomplished , '' said Clapper . `` If that 's so , I call on him and his accomplices to facilitate the return of the remaining stolen documents that have not yet been exposed to prevent even more damage to U.S . security . '' Matthew Olsen , director of the National Counterterrorism Center , highlighted concern over the Olympics , and whether Muslim fundamentalists in disputed regions of Russia -- or other groups -- could launch deadly attacks on selected targets . Russian security forces have cracked down on suspected militants in the restive North Caucasus republic of Dagestan and elsewhere in recent weeks , after twin suicide bombings in the city of Volgograd in December . `` The primary threat , from a terrorism perspective , comes from Imarat Kavkaz , probably the most prominent terrorist group in Russia . It 's made its intent clear to seek to carry out attacks in the run-up to the games , '' said Olsen . `` We think the greater danger from a terrorist perspective is in potential for attacks to occur outside of the actual venues for the games themselves in the area surrounding Sochi or outside of Sochi in the region . '' Against that backdrop , was the announcement on Tuesday that U.S . Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul would leave his post later this month . He cited a desire to return to his family in California . McFaul has been a controversial figure in Russia , with some state-run media viewing him with suspicion for his outspoken support of pro-democracy groups . One U.S. senator had tough words for Russia , while praising McFaul for his efforts to implement President Barack Obama 's `` reset '' policy to improve relations with Moscow . `` I have been deeply disturbed by the campaign of harassment the Russian government initiated and supported against Ambassador McFaul throughout his admirable service in Moscow , '' said Sen. John McCain , an Arizona Republican . `` In my view , such conduct by the Russian government warrants concern for other U.S. officials working in the country . ''
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