Скачать или смотреть UK: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN VISIT: ARRIVAL

(16 Apr 2000) Natural Sound

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Britain on Sunday for his first visit to the West since his election victory last month.

Putin will spend a busy 24 hours in London where he is due on Monday to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair, British business leaders and Queen Elizabeth II before departing for the Ukraine.

He had no engagements planned for Sunday night.

The 47-year-old Russian leader was expected to use the trip to strengthen his nation's ties with Europe, and boost his international image, which has been tarnished by strong Western criticism of the ongoing Russian offensive in Chechnya.

Demonstrators have pledged to be out in force to protest reports that Russian forces are responsible for widespread human rights violations in the breakaway republic.

In an Internet broadcast on Friday, Blair said there was "real concern" over what is happening in Chechnya which he would repeat "clearly and frankly" to Putin.

But while Chechnya will be a key part of the discussions, it is reported that Blair wants to use the visit to build a better working relationship with Moscow on behalf of Britain and the entire 15-nation European Union.

Since former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's surprise decision to step down on December 31st and hand powers over to Putin, the new leader has shown a strong interest in cultivating ties with Britain.

Blair was the first Western leader invited to meet Putin in Russia, and Putin has said it is no accident that he chose London for his first official trip to the West.

Putin, who was accompanied by his wife, Lyudmila, is due to end his visit on Monday at Windsor Castle, where the couple will have a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...