Vladimir Putin is being welcomed by U.S. President Bill Clinton prior to a bilateral meeting in Norway, November 1999.

Vladimir Putin visits a meeting of the APEC, November 1999.

Vladimir Putin gestures as he talks with Belarussian President Lukashenko, January 2000.

Vladimir Putin welcomes U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan prior to their talks concerning Chechnya, January 2000.

Vladimir Putin smiles as he shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the Kremlin, February 2000.

Vladimir Putin invites NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson to start their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, February 2000.

Vladimir Putin, Lyudmila, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie talk while touring the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, March 2000.

Vladimir Putin and Stanley Fischer, IMF's first deputy managing director, are seen during their meeting at the Kremlin, April 2000.

Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko during their meeting in Minsk, April 2000.

Vladimir Putin listens as British Prime Minister Tony Blair makes a point during a press conference in London, April 2000.