Vladimir Putin visited the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 2004-12-06 12:00:00 Ankara 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.