Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Baku on August 18 on a two-day state visit.

Putin’s office reports he will hold talks with Azerbaijani officials to further develop strategic relations between the two countries and to discuss international and regional issues.

Putin was met by Azerbaijani First Deputy Prime Minister Yaghub Eyubov, Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad Byulbyuloghli.

Putin, yesterday, met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva at an “informal lunch” at the Zuğulba Presidential Palace on the Caspian Sea coast.

Today, Putin paid tribute to former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, the father of Ilham Aliyev, by laying a wreath at his grave in Baku’s Alley of Honor, a public cemetery and memorial that honors famous Azerbaijanis and people with ties to Azerbaijan.

The Russian leader also laid a wreath at Baku’s Eternal Flame monument (Alley of Martyrs) dedicated to those killed by the Soviet Army during Black January 1990 and in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War of 1988–1994.

TASS reports that Putin will also visit a section of Baku now undergoing redevelopment as part of the Baku White City master plan.

Photo: kremlin.ru