A lighting display making a political statement Thursday at Savyolovsky Market with the president declaring “I’ll be all right” above signs reading “exit.” Vladimir Filonov / MT
Putin's Foreign Policy Hits the Road -- Moscow Times
In a highly symbolic gesture, President Vladimir Putin on Thursday arrived in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to pay his first foreign visit as head of state to controversial Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Putin will continue on to Berlin and Paris on Friday to pay lightning visits to newly elected presidents Joachim Gauck and Francois Hollande, as well as for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. His busy schedule continues Sunday evening in St. Petersburg, where he hosts a two-day summit with EU leaders.
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More News On Russian President Putin's First Foreign Policy Trip Since His Inauguration
Putin Heads To Belarus, EU Partners In First Official Visit -- Radio Free Europe
Russia's Putin heads West with eyes on the money -- AP
President Putin to Visit Belarus, Germany, France -- RIA Novosti
Putin and Belarus leader see 'great future' ahead -- AFP
Putin Arrives in Belarus for Talks with Lukashenko -- RIA Novosti
Putin's first foreign trip indicates new pulse of diplomacy -- Xinhuanet
Putin turns his back on the west -- Deutsche Welle
Who gets a visit from Putin? -- Arianne Swieca, Foreign Policy