Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Venezuela on Friday for his first visit to the South American country.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankRussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Venezuela on Friday for his first visit to the South American country.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Venezuela on Friday for his first visit to the South American country.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez personally greeted Putin at the airport in Caracas, although their meeting was scheduled later in the day.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez personally greeted Putin at the airport in Caracas, although their meeting was scheduled later in the day.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankAn honor guard welcomed Putin and a military band performed the national anthems of the two countries.

An honor guard welcomed Putin and a military band performed the national anthems of the two countries.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankDuring his one-day visit to Caracas, Putin is expected to discuss a wide range of military and economic issues with Chavez.

During his one-day visit to Caracas, Putin is expected to discuss a wide range of military and economic issues with Chavez.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankPutin's visit comes one day after Russia's celebrated Kruzenshtern sailing ship arrived in Venezuela as part of a five-month transatlantic voyage.

Putin's visit comes one day after Russia's celebrated Kruzenshtern sailing ship arrived in Venezuela as part of a five-month transatlantic voyage.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankPutin and Chavez visited the ship, which will stay in the La Guaira port near Caracas for several days.

Putin and Chavez visited the ship, which will stay in the La Guaira port near Caracas for several days.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankChavez proposed that Russia and Venezuela exchange experience in training naval cadets.

Chavez proposed that Russia and Venezuela exchange experience in training naval cadets.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabank“We can send our students and young fishermen to Russia,” Chavez said.

“We can send our students and young fishermen to Russia,” Chavez said.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankPutin and Chavez toured an exhibition dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the victory in World War II victory on board the Kruzenshtern.

Putin and Chavez toured an exhibition dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the victory in World War II victory on board the Kruzenshtern.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankThey also visited the ship’s museum and signed the visitors’ book.

They also visited the ship’s museum and signed the visitors’ book.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankThe ship’s captain, Mikhail Novikov, told Putin and Chavez that for the first time six girls are on board the Kruzenshtern, undergoing training as radio operators.

The ship’s captain, Mikhail Novikov, told Putin and Chavez that for the first time six girls are on board the Kruzenshtern, undergoing training as radio operators.
© RIA Novosti . Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankChavez presented the ship's crew with a portrait of Admiral Miranda, a South American revolutionary.

Chavez presented the ship's crew with a portrait of Admiral Miranda, a South American revolutionary.