Snowden Remains at Moscow Airport as U.S. Says Wants Russia to 'Hand Him Over'

U.S. fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is still in the transit zone at a Moscow airport and his future plans are uncertain, a lawyer said after meeting him on Wednesday.

"He is staying here... He is here in the transit zone" at Sheremetyevo airport, pro-Kremlin lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told reporters after meeting Snowden inside the area.

His comments dashed expectations that Snowden, who last week applied for asylum in Russia would leave the airport Wednesday after reports said he would receive a document allowing him free movement.

Kucherena denied that he had been given any such document that would allow him to leave the transit zone as an official asylum seeker

"As of today, this document has not yet been given (to him)," Kucherena said, adding that the process was being drawn out as this was the "first such situation in Russia".

He said the question of whether and when he would leave the airport was so far "undecided" although Snowden wanted to stay in Russia.

"He is more or less okay, but he is waiting for his question to be solved," Kucherena said.

"So far he does not plan to travel outside of Russia. He thanks Russia for receiving him well."

He said Snowden was starting to learn the Russian language and was planning on remaining in the country.

"He plans to stay in Russia. He plans to study Russian culture," he said. "He does not have so much money but it is enough at this stage."

Meanwhile, the United States repeated its demand that Russia return Snowden to face justice.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called his Russian opposite number Sergei Lavrov after reports that Russian authorities had given Snowden permission to leave a Moscow airport transit area and formally enter the country.

"He reiterated our belief that Mr Snowden needs to be returned to the United States where he will face a fair trial," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

"Any move that would allow him to leave the airport would be deeply disappointing," she told reporters.

Earlier, White House press secretary Jay Carney had told reporters aboard Air Force One: "We're seeking clarity from Russian authorities about Mr Snowden's status and any change in it."

He reiterated the U.S. position that Snowden "is neither a human rights activist nor a dissident," adding: "He has been charged with serious felonies for the unauthorized leaking of highly classified information."

"Mr Snowden should be expelled and returned to the United States," Carney said.