The cub weighs just 10 kilos. She has not been named yet, but Mashenka and Milashka were among the options discussed. She has an excellent appetite. "She eats two kilos of meat in the morning, and two kilos in the evening," Mr Putin smiled.

Meeting participants discussed environmental issues related to the construction of the Sakhalin-2 pipeline, its right-of-way and the Baikal area in general.

"I would like to thank the party and its parliamentary group for the fact that despite different and occasionally diametrically opposite approaches to the development of Russia and solution of some of its problems, we still find an understanding on matters that are vital for the development and the very existence of Russia as a state."

The development of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), and additional support to KHL from the Government were discussed in the course of the meeting.

The republic’s economic, social, and political situation and prospects for the region’s development were discussed at the meeting.

Addressing the Government Commission on Agriculture, Mr Zubkov pointed out that “the main task of the agro-industrial sector today is to secure the availability of domestically produced staple food items.”

At the opening ceremony, Mr Sobyanin read out Prime Minister Putin’s message to the exhibition participants.

"Russia is Europe's third largest export partner and fourth largest importer of European goods. Energy is such an important cooperation area that I do not even have to mention it here. It is also our political priority to be considerate of each other's interests, to study each other thoroughly and to help each other."

"I am convinced that our joint efforts must facilitate the sustained development of Russian-Ukrainian ties based on pragmatism and mutual trust and regardless of time-serving political considerations. Moscow is prepared for precisely such cooperation with our Ukrainian partners."