The President of Russia will examine the final stages of preparations for the 2014 XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games.

Vladimir Putin expressed his profound condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the plane crash at Kazan airport.

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Supervisory Board.

Vyacheslav Gaizer briefed the President on the current socioeconomic situation in the region. In particular, he talked about implementing investment projects in the oil and gas sector and in timber processing, as well as the modernisation underway in the healthcare sector.

Mr Belykh briefed the President on the socioeconomic situation in Kirov Region, as well as on the progress made in implementing instructions related to the 2012 presidential executive orders.

Vladimir Putin took part via video linkup in the launch ceremony at the Kirinskoye gas and condensate field. 

Vladimir Putin spoke at a training seminar for mayors of Russian cities. The event, which took place under the Presidential Executive Office’s aegis, focused on domestic policy issues and modern effective management principles. 

In Ufa, the President will hold a meeting of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations, which will focus on implementing the state ethnic policy in Russia’s regions.

Vladimir Putin met with Head of the Republic of Karelia Alexander Khudilaynen to discuss the region’s socioeconomic situation.

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting in Tobolsk on developing the petrochemical industry.

Vladimir Putin saw the modernisation work taking place at Tuapse Refinery, where a new refinery using non-stop production technology is being built, and took part via video linkup in a ceremony launching a facility for primary crude oil processing.

Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev and Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov.

Mr Tsukanov briefed Vladimir Putin on the social and economic situation in the region.

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with acting Governor of Stavropol Territory Vladimir Vladimirov.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On Early Termination of the Mandate of Stavropol Territory Governor.

Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Governor of Ivanovo Region Mikhail Men.

Late last night Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on creating modern facilities for the production of liquefied natural gas on the Yamal Peninsula – the Yamal LNG project – and building the Sabetta seaport.

Vladimir Putin and President of Finland Sauli Niinistö participated in the opening ceremony for the Nyagan GRES thermal power plant.