Edward Snowden is "under the care of the Russian authorities" and cannot leave Moscow's international airport without their consent, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has distanced himself from the case since Mr Snowden arrived in Russia last week. But Mr Correa portrayed Russia as the masters of Mr Snowden's fate. Mr Putin said the ex-NSA contractor remains in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport and that as long as he has not legally entered Russia, he is out of the Kremlin's control.
The Kremlin said yesterday it will take public opinion and the views of human rights activists into account when considering Mr Snowden's case, a move that could lay the groundwork for him to seek asylum in Russia.
"This is the decision of Russian authorities," Mr Correa said. "He doesn't have a passport. I don't know the Russian laws, I don't know if he can leave the airport, but I understand that he can't. At this moment he's under the care of the Russian authorities. If he arrives at an Ecuadorean Embassy we'll analyse his request for asylum."
Mr Correa repeatedly emphasised the importance of the US legal process and praised Vice-Preisdent Joe Biden for what he called a courteous and appreciated half-hour call about the Snowden case on Friday.
The US is seeking the former NSA contractor's extradition for leaking secret documents.
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