On a televised visit to inspect the Victory Memorial on Wednesday, the President said he considered everything ready for the May 9 celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
He then expressed how awestruck he was at the sight of the monument.
"Although I have been to many countries, I've never seen anything like it -- this grandiose construction -- constructed by builders, architects and organizers -- is just wonderful," he declared.
Yeltsin, flanked by Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, then helped lay the first brick at a nearby site destined to become a residential area for war veterans.
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