Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday revealed that the US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden was still in a Moscow airport transit zone, rejecting calls for his extradition to the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday revealed that the US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden was still in a Moscow airport transit zone, rejecting calls for his extradition to the United States.

In his first intervention over the chase for Snowden that has captivated world attention, Putin described the ex-intelligence contractor as a "free man" whose arrival in Russia was "completely unexpected" for the Russian authorities.

The dramatic announcement ended two days of guessing over the whereabouts of Snowden who leaked revelations of US massive surveillance programs to the media and is now wanted by the US authorities.

"It is true that Mr. Snowden came to Moscow," Putin said at a news conference while on a visit to Finland. "For us, this was completely unexpected."

"He arrived as a transit passenger and he does not need a visa or other documents. He can buy a ticket and go wherever he pleases. He did not cross the state border, as a transit passenger he is still in the transit hall," Putin added.

Putin insisted that Russia only extradites foreign nationals to countries with which it has a formal extradition treaty. "We have no such agreement with the United States," he said, calling US allegations that Russia is breaking the law "nonsense and rubbish."

Snowden had been expected to board a flight for Cuba on Monday, reportedly on his way to seek asylum in Ecuador. But he never did and Putin appeared to confirm that he was still uncertain over his onward travel plans.