Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden is believed to still be in the transit area of a Moscow airport.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday that Snowden is in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.

And he ruled out handing Snowden to Washington, saying the 30-year-old is free to leave.

Earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he would consider housing him, if Snowden lodges an asylum request.

WikiLeaks anti-secrecy group said Snowden is headed for Ecuador and is travelling on a refugee document of passage provided by the Ecuadorian government.