Mr Astakhov briefed the President on the results of work to protect children and families and developing various forms of family placement for children without parental care.

Vladimir Putin visited the Mariinsky Theatre, where he attended a rehearsal of the combined children’s choir of Russia.

Vladimir Putin met with the head of the Republic of Udmurtia to discuss the region’s performance in 2013, including issues pertaining to demography and housing construction.

Vladimir Putin signed Executive Order On the President of the Russian Federation’s Prize for writing and art for children and young people

Vladimir Putin visited Ocean national children’s centre, as well as a hockey and sports complex under construction, and the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Article 5 of the Federal Law On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to their Health and Development and to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation with the Aim of Protecting Children from Information that Promotes Negation of Traditional Family Values.

Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Parental Glory to ten large families. The Order for Parental Glory is awarded to families with seven or more birth or adopted children.

Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to participants of the second meeting of the Presidential Coordination Council for Implementing the 2012–2017 National Children's Strategy.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Laws On Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and On Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child Pertaining to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with director of the Dima Rogachev Federal Research and Clinical Centre of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Immunology Alexander Rumyantsev and the Centre’s deputy director and chief medical officer Galina Novichkova.

Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Pavel Astakhov took part in the VII congress of Russian regional children’s rights commissioners, held on April 16–18 in Ufa, as well as a seminar for children’s rights commissioners and guardianship and custodial care authorities.

Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma for ratification the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on Protection of Children.

Vladimir Putin signed Federal Law On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation to Prevent the Sale of Children, Their Exploitation and Child Prostitution, as well as Activities Related to the Production and Distribution of Materials or Objects with Pornographic Images of Minors.

The Minister briefed the President on the implementation of the perinatal centre construction programme in Russian regions.

Ms Matviyenko briefed Vladimir Putin on the Council’s work, in particular, implementation of the national strategy for protecting children’s interests and the drafting of a state family policy concept.

Mr Astakhov briefed Vladimir Putin on the results of his work over the last three years, noting in particular that all 83 Russian regions now have children’s rights ombudsmen, inspections of children’s institutions have taken place in 77 regions, and an expert council has drafted the Russia Without Orphans programme.

Vladimir Putin took part in the official opening of a new multipurpose building at the Sambo-70 sports and education complex, held a meeting with coaches, athletes, sports veterans and experts on developing children’s physical education and children’s and youth sport.

Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to participants, organisers and guests of the VI International Children’s Winter Games.