Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was welcomed at the airport by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

A guard of honour lined up for Mr Putin's arrival. A brass band played Russian and Italian state anthems. After a brief official welcoming ceremony, Mr Berlusconi invited Mr Putin to Villa San Martino, his residence at Arcore, outside Milan. The two prime ministers discussed issues pertaining to the expansion of Russian-Italian relations at an informal dinner.