Vladimir Putin speaks to the director of Rybinsk Motors Yuri Lastochkin during his visit to the Yaroslavl region's industrial and agricultural enterprises, May 2000.

Vladimir Putin and Boris Yeltsin smile before attending the ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the installation of Patriarch Alexiy II, June 2000.

Vladimir Putin meets with French photographer Brice Fleutiaux who was held hostage by Chechen rebels for more than eight months, June 2000.

Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, Prosecutor-General Vladimir Ustinov and Duma Deputy Valentin Varenikov attend a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Moscow, June 2000.

Vladimir Putin dances during the celebration of local Sabantuy holiday outside Tatarstan's capital Kazan, June 2000.

Vladimir Putin gestures as Akhmad Kadyrov, Russia's chief administrator in Chechnya, listens during a meeting in North Ossetia, July 2000.

Vladimir Putin delivers his first State of the Nation address since he was elected president, July 2000.

Vladimir Putin listens to Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo after a Kremlin ceremony, July 2000.

Vladimir Putin and Igor Sergeyev look at a model of the "Pchela-M" airplane as they visit the Ural Arms Expo-2000 show in the city of Nizhny Tagil, July 2000.

Vladimir Putin looks at a woman, whose husband was killed in Chechnya, during his visit to a paratroop regiment in the city of Pskov, August 2000.