In limbo, for three weeks American whistleblower Edward Snowden has lived here, in the transit area between the runway and passport control at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport<br/> <br />Russia says it considers the area neutral territory, and has yet to grant the dissident permission to stay in the country.<br/> <br />That may be about to change. This hand written application for asylum, signed by Snowden, was broadcast on Russian state television last night.<br/> <br />A lawyer helping Snowden with his asylum request said that Snowden could leave Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport within a week.<br/> <br />The move comes amidst the clearest signal yet from Russian President Vladimir Putin that he won't allow the issue to further sour relations with the United States.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We warned Mr Snowden that any action by him that could cause damage to Russia-American relations is unacceptable for us."<br/> <br />If successful in his application, Snowden has
