The Russian President laid a wreath on the slab under which the remains of this outstanding figure of Turkey lie, and respected his memory with a moment of silence.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, Mr Putin left a note in the Book of honorary guests to the Mausoleum. The Russian President wrote that he honoured highly the memory of this outstanding son of the Turkish people. Mr Putin said that Ataturk’s name was linked to the birth of Turkish statehood, and the beginning of friendship between the peoples of Russia and Turkey.
See also
Official Visit to the Republic of Turkey
December 5 − 6, 2004