Mr Putin and Mr Kuchma watched the joint parade of the two countries’ Black Sea fleets followed by a Sea Power for the Glory of Russia show, which featured the military manoeuvres of the Ukrainian and Russian ships and the passage of a submarine.
The Russian and Ukrainian leaders visited the Hetman Sagaidachny coast guard vessel, the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, and the Moskva missile cruiser, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Greeting the Russian seaman, the Russian President said that the joint celebration of the Russian Navy Day was becoming a good tradition of the two countries and navies. Talking with the Black Sea Fleet personnel Mr Putin revealed that he had approved the Russian Maritime Doctrine on July 27. The document is called upon to be an effective instrument of the national system of regulation and control of marine activities, and to promote Russia’s national interests and international prestige as a leading sea-faring nation, the President said.
Mr Putin left Sevastopol for Sochi later that same day.