Edward Snowden has applied for asylum in 21 countries, but most of Europe has swiftly rejected his plea.
Russia says that Snowden's request for asylum there have been withdrawn, after it placed pre-conditions on his residence,chiefly, stop leaking US secrets.
No-one has given the whistleblower a definite yes.
Requests for asylum were handed to an official at the Russian consulate at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on Sunday by WikiLeaks legal adviser Sarah Harrison. It is very unusual to seek asylum outside the territory you are currently in.
Here's what we know so far about Snowden's bids for asylum.
Snowden's 21 Asylum Bids
AUSTRIA(01 of21)
The answer: NoInterior minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, said no request could be filed from outside the country, but said if Snowden arrived in the country, he could not be deported because no international arrest warrant exists (credit:Alamy)
BOLIVIA(02 of21)
The answer: Maybe..President Evo Morales says his country is willing to consider US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden's political asylum request. (credit:Alamy)
BRAZIL(03 of21)
The answer: NOBrazil will not grant asylum, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, adding that it will leave the request unanswered. (credit:Alamy)
CHINA(04 of21)
The answer: UnknownChina's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said she had no information on Snowden's asylum bid. (credit:Alamy)
CUBA(05 of21)
The answer: UnknownNo response yet from Havana, but Snowden's inability to get on a plane to Havana last week might give some indication about how the Cuban government feels regarding his asylum claim. (credit:Alamy)
ECUADOR(06 of21)
The answer: NoPresident Rafael Correa told the Guardian in an interview that he was not considering Snowden's asylum request, because Snowden was not on Ecuadorian territory, and would not issue him travel documents. (credit:Alamy)
FINLAND(07 of21)
The answer: NoThe reply came from the country's foreign ministry spokeswoman Tytti Pylkkö - saying that Snowden had to be in Finland to apply. (credit:Alamy)
FRANCE(08 of21)
The reply: UnknownNo public response yet from the French government (credit:Alamy)
GERMANY(09 of21)
The reply: Unknown, but very unlikelyThere has been no official response, but like most countries, an application may be made only if the asylum-seeker is residing in Germany. Under the Residence Act: "A foreigner may be granted for the admission from abroad for urgent humanitarian reasons a residence. This is reportedly being considered by the federal government, but is unlikely to apply to Snowden. (credit:Alamy)
ICELAND(10 of21)
The answer: NoIceland said the request was legally invalid from outside its territory. (credit:Alamy)
INDIA(11 of21)
The answer: NoForeign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin, tweeted: "Following careful examination we have concluded that we see no reason to accede to the Snowden request" (credit:Alamy)
ITALY(12 of21)
The answer: Stil considering.. Italy said it was "evaluating" the request which it dubbed "irregular" because it was not made in person. (credit:Alamy)
IRELAND(13 of21)
The answer: NoA Justice Ministry spokesman said an asylum application could only be accepted from a person who was on Irish soil. (credit:Alamy)
THE NETHERLANDS(14 of21)
The answer: NoNetherlands Justice Minister Fred Teeven says Snowden is not eligible for asylum. "Since 2003 it is no longer possible to serve from abroad" (credit:Alamy)
NICARAGUA(15 of21)
The reply: UnknownNothing yet from the country's government, (credit:Alamy)
NORWAY(16 of21)
The reply: NoAs with many European countries, it won't accept petitions filed from abroad. (credit:Alamy)
POLAND(17 of21)
The reply: NoUnequivocal. Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski tweeted that his country would reject the asylum bid from Snowden, saying: "We received a letter that does not meet the formal application [requirements] for asylum. "But even if it was fulfilled, I will not give a positive recommendation." (credit:Alamy)
RUSSIA(18 of21)
The reply: Snowden withdrew his requestVladimir Putin's statement said Snowden could only be considered for asylum if he stopped "his work aimed at bringing harm to our American partners" (credit:Alamy)
SPAIN(19 of21)
The reply: NoSpain's Foreign Minister José García-Margallo said his country will not grant Snowden asylum as he does not fulfil the requirements - he is not on Spanish territory. (credit:Alamy)
SWITZERLAND(20 of21)
The reply: UnknownSwitzerland does not normally allowed applications from outside its territory apart from in exceptional circumstances - and there have only been six in its history. (credit:Alamy)
VENUZEULA(21 of21)
The reply: Nothing firm, but probably the best chance.President Nicolás Maduro is currently in Moscow and said he would consider the request, saying: "We think this young person has done something very important for humanity, has done a favour to humanity." (credit:AP)