Vladimir Putin met with Government members to discuss state socioeconomic policy. Changes to the federal budget parameters and the situation with Russian gas supplies to Ukraine were also discussed.

Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko took part in a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

The President of Belarus, Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State has been awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his great personal contribution to the development of friendly relations between Russia and Belarus, to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political, defence, economic and social spheres.

Prior to the Union State Supreme State Council meeting Vladimir Putin met with the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who is in Moscow on a working visit. The discussion covered pressing issues of bilateral cooperation and the development of integration.

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, President of the French Republic Francois Hollande and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi will visit Moscow on March 5 at Vladimir Putin’s invitation.

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed Al Nahyan, on the initiative of the Emirate side.

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II at the Jordanian side’s initiative.

Vladimir Putin held a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council.

Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani in connection with the numerous casualties caused by avalanches in the country’s northeastern provinces.

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Vladimir Putin met with President of the Senate of France Gerard Larcher at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

On March 3, Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who will be in Russia on a working visit, will take part in a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State.

Vladimir Putin met with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, who is in Russia on an official visit.

Vladimir Putin signed a list of instructions that will facilitate implementation in Russia of the 1975 Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets.

Vladimir Putin met with ICRC President Peter Maurer at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

Vladimir Putin answered questions from the National State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK) journalist Vladimir Solovyov.