Putin, Berlusconi Get Warm Reception on Trip to Crimea

President Vladimir Putin and Italian former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi visit Chersonesus Tavrichesky (Tauric Chersonesos) National Reserve in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Crimea, Sept. 12.



Berlusconi became the most prominent Western politician to visit Russian-annexed Crimea when he strolled beside the Black Sea on Sept. 11 with Putin.



Read the story: Italy's Berlusconi Rubs Shoulders With Putin in Crimea

President Vladimir Putin lights a candle during his visit to The Saint Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus Tavrichesky (Tauric Chersonesos) National Reserve.

President Vladimir Putin and Italian former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pictured in The Saint Vladimir Cathedral in Chersonesus Tavrichesky National Reserve.

President Vladimir Putin and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi pose with the employees of the Massandra winery in Crimea.

President Vladimir Putin visits a wine vault at the Massandra winery in Crimea.

President Vladimir Putin, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov (2nd L) listen to explanations as they visit a monument to soldiers of the Kingdom of Sardinia, killed during the Crimean War, near Mount Gasfort in Crimea.

President Vladimir Putin, former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, Russian Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to Crimea Oleg Belaventsev, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov and Governor of Sevastopol Sergei Menyailo lay flowers at a monument to soldiers of the Kingdom of Sardinia, killed during the Crimean War, near Mount Gasfort in Crimea.

President Vladimir Putin talks to a boy as he visits Chersonesus Tavrichesky National Reserve in Crimea.