Czech president meets with Vladimir Putin in Sochi

President Miloš Zeman met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Sochi, beginning the official program of his five-day visit. The two met at Mr Putin’s personal residence, Bocharov Ruchei, often the site of top meetings during state visits.

According to the Czech News Agency, Mr Putin expressed appreciation for Mr Zeman’s interest in deepening economic cooperation between Russia and the Czech Republic, despite differences. On his trip, the Czech president is being accompanied by a business delegation representing more than 130 firms, looking for new opportunities for trade.

President Zeman expressed regret that it had not been possible for “technical, not ideological reasons” to transfer the reliquary bust for the skull of Saint Ludmila to go on display for two days in Russia; St Ludmila is revered in the Russian Orthodox Church.