Mr Putin started his sightseeing tour with St George’s Monastery and the Citadel of Novgorod. He also visited the Convent of St Barlaam of Khoutyn, founded in the 12th century.
Before an excursion about the city, Mr Putin went to the village of Novoselitsy, with its World War II memorial, and laid a wreath to one of its common graves, where the father of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma is buried. Mr Putin signed the Visitors’ Book.