Putin first visited the Mausoleum in Ankara which he arrived for a two-day official visit..

In the book of honor, he wrote that "Our duty is to construct the basis of mutual understanding and friendship on the way opened by Ataturk."

Putin then proceeded to the Cankaya Presidential Kiosk where President Ahmet Necdet Sezer welcomed him in an official ceremony. After his meeting with President Sezer, Putin said that the two countries shared similar views on international and regional issues and he thanked to Turkey's support for his country's fight against terrorism.