Vladimir Putin in Old Ladoga

     President Vladimir Putin arrived to Old Ladoga on July 17. Having come to Leningrad region by helicopter, the way to Old Ladoga he sailed with a presidential boat “Pallada” that embarked at embarcadero built on the bank of Volhov near St. Nicholas convent. He was red-carpeted by the plenipotentiary of the President in northwest region Valentina Matvienko and the governor of Leningrad region Velery Serdyukov. The deputy-minister of culture N. Dementyeva and the chief of the conservation area “Old Ladoga” L. Gubchevskaya expected the President in Old Ladoga fortress. Putin has observed the fortress, visited St. Clement Tower and St. George church, than visited the supposed grave of Oleg the Oracular. At the central square of the village where the stone has been laid to commemorate the 1250th anniversary of Ladoga the President talked to the veterans who complained about their poor pensions, mentioned the problem of the debts charge off that concerns the agricultural enterprises. The veterans also asked President Putin to support Valery Serdyukov at the elections of the governor of Leningrad region. The President answered to their request: “I do not vote.”


     In front of the leisure and information center of Old Ladoga where the agricultural fair took place President Putin circled among the citizens of Old Ladoga. Then, a meeting took place presented by the chiefs of the region municipal enterprises and the managers of the enterprises of Volhoivsky district. They discussed the reform of the local government, problems of housing and urban renewal and the education of young people with respect to the history of their motherland.